KR20010039565A - Showerhead engine assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A shower head engine assembly is provided, which has the various combination of continuous pulsing play. CONSTITUTION: The assembly consists of a spinner(30), a stator(20), a pressure plate(60) and a face plate(80), capable of stably holding a shower head and equipped with a device for generating a non-pulsing non-deflected spray pattern when the spinner stops and the face plate is oriented at a first position in respect to the pressure plate, a device for generating a non-pulsing deflected spray pattern when the spinner stops and the face plate is oriented at a second position in respect to the pressure plate, a means for generating a pulsing non- deflected spray pattern when the spinner spins and the face plate is oriented at a third position in respect to the pressure plate and a device for generating a pulsing deflected spray pattern when the spinner spins and the face plate is oriented at a fourth position in respect to the pressure plate.

Description

Showerhead Engine Assembly {SHOWERHEAD ENGINE ASSEMBLY}

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to showerhead engine assemblies and aerators, and more particularly to showerhead engine assemblies having different combinations of continuous and pulsating sprays.

Various showerhead assemblies are known in the art for operating in various functional modes. This assembly provides a fixed spray pattern in combination with the massage action generated by pulsing or pivoting water through the showerhead. Each system includes a removable selector disk rotatably mounted within the selector housing, a showerhead assembly to enable various types of output streams, and a shower system supplied from a hot water source that produces the stream. Include. The disc selector includes an inlet end facing the inlet end of the selector housing and an outlet end opposite the inlet end of the disc selector. The showerhead includes a selector surface mounted inside the selector housing and a diffuser plate mounted inside the selector housing. The showerhead assembly includes a set of large, frothy streams at high water pressure and a set of small diameter streams filled with foam at low water pressure or having a spray instead of the foam stream. An optionally controlled diverter is disposed in the conduit to divert the water reached from the source into a fog form from the showerhead through the outlet. The showerhead includes a nozzle turbine. An opening in the flow diverter plate controlled by the control panel supplies a nozzle set to change the dispensed hydraulic power. The hydraulic power is changed depending on the number of open nozzles.

Such systems have complex internal combustion engines that must be sealed to one another and are expensive to produce and, due to the complexity of the components, cannot be operated in a way that completely prevents leakage in use. In addition, the showerhead outlet port is often blocked by impurities that cause any spray pattern.

Therefore, it can overcome the disadvantages of the prior art, the manufacturing cost is low, the durability is high, it works effectively under a wide range of hydraulic pressure, the operator can choose the regular continuous spray and aeration spray and the pulsating spray and various combinations thereof, There is a need for shower systems that are high in energy efficiency and have better spray properties than conventional showerhead engine assemblies.

It is also possible to replace other assemblies, minimize the number of parts, reduce spare parts for maintenance, and a variety of spray patterns, including jet spray and aeration deflection spray and pulsating jet spray and pulsation deflection spray. There is a need for showerhead engine assemblies that allow for combination and also have a self cleaning capability.

This requirement can be achieved by the preferred embodiment of the showerhead engine assembly of the present invention. As used herein, the term "showerhead" is attached to the shower fluid supply through an inlet tube to produce a spray by varying fluid patterns including standard showerheads, pulsating showerheads, energy-saving ventilated showerheads, and the like. Refers to a device.

A preferred embodiment of the showerhead engine assembly of the present invention comprises five plastic parts and an O-ring seal, wherein the five plastic parts comprise a stator, a spinner, an Engager, a pressure plate and a face plate. The pressure plate and the face plate are formed with openings through which fluid can pass. The deflection surface on the faceplate provides a variety of different flow patterns. The spinner's rotation depends on the particular spray pattern set. The fixture includes a pair of stop flanges that engage and disengage from the spinner. When the spinner separates and rotates freely, the fluid flow through the spinner's passages causes the spinner to rotate to create a vortex. When the spinner rotates freely, the combination of spinner, fixture and pressure plate creates a pulsating action.

The spray pattern is formed outside the pressure chamber. The spray selection is made on one or more surfaces between the pressure plate and the face plate, and the spray selection is made on water at atmospheric pressure. The spray pattern is created by a deflection surface disposed on the faceplate. The four basic spray patterns are: (1) non-pulsating non-pulsating flow with the spinner stopped, (2) non-pulsating deflection flow with the spinner stationary, (3) non-pulsating pulsating flow with the spinner rotating, 4) Spinner is rotating pulsating deflection flow.

In a second embodiment of the showerhead engine assembly of the present invention, the engine assembly includes only one pressure plate and one faceplate without pulsation. Since the water flows randomly if it is not correctly aligned, the pressure plate and the face plate use an alignment mechanism. Also, a shock absorber can be used. The face plate is the same as the face plate used in the first embodiment. Two spray patterns can be used: (1) non-pulsating non-pulsating flow and (2) non-pulsating deflecting flow.

The pressure chamber in the showerhead engine assembly disposed between the fixture and the pressure plate must be sealed from the spray selection chamber. Unlike conventional showerhead engine assemblies where a high pressure seal is required to provide the required seal, the showerhead engine assembly of the present invention only requires sealing the pressure chamber from the spray selection chamber.

Another embodiment includes a showerhead engine assembly similar to the first and second embodiments and including a self-cleaning action. Six self-cleaning pins arranged are perpendicular to the plane of the spring wire. The circular spring is seated in a circular slot in the pressure plate. Each of the six orifice holes in the pressure plate includes a group of openings disposed around the central opening. The pins rest in their respective central openings. As the spray selection is made, the relative position of the faceplate rotates around the pressure plate-spring combination and the edge of the faceplate forces the pin to move back and forth in the axial direction within the central opening that generates the self-cleaning action. The pin is moved in the hole by the rotational action of the shower faceplate itself, providing a self-cleaning action.

The advantages of the showerhead engine assembly of the present invention are numerous. These advantages include a spray pattern formed on the outside of the pressure chamber, which significantly reduces the number of parts, which simplifies assembly time, costs and simplifies maintenance. The showerhead engine assembly of the present invention provides a cross spray pattern and provides a population of showerhead engine assemblies that provide interchangeable parts and various spray patterns. Orifices of different shapes and sizes on the faceplate allow the selection of different spray patterns with different spray characteristics. Rotation and rearrangement of the faceplate relative to the pressure plate changes the number of spray selection options and orifice shape.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood by the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is an enlarged perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the showerhead engine assembly of the present invention that includes a stator, spinner, coupler, an O-ring, a pressure plate, and a faceplate embedded within the handle of a handheld showerhead.

FIG. 2A is an enlarged perspective view of the bottom surface of the stator, spinner and coupler of the showerhead engine assembly of FIG. 1, and FIG. 2B is an enlarged perspective view of the top surface of the stator, spinner and coupler of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3A is an enlarged perspective view of the top surface of the coupler of the showerhead engine assembly of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3B is an enlarged perspective view of the bottom surface of the coupler of FIG. 3A.

4A is an enlarged perspective view of the upper surface of the pressure plate of the showerhead engine assembly of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4B is an enlarged perspective view of the lower surface of the pressure plate of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5A is an enlarged perspective view of the top surface of the face plate of the showerhead engine assembly of FIG. 1, and FIG. 5B is an enlarged perspective view of the bottom surface of the face plate of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of the assembly of face plate, pressure plate and coupler of FIG. 1; FIG.

FIG. 7A is a side view of the palm rested showerhead assembly of FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 7B is a front view of the palm rested showerhead assembly of FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 8A is a front view of the faceplate of the showerhead engine assembly of FIG. 7B, wherein the position of the faceplate is located between deflected and non-deflected flow relative to the pressure plate; FIG.

FIG. 8B is a top view of the palm rested showerhead engine assembly of FIG. 8A. FIG.

FIG. 8C is a rear view of the gripping showerhead engine assembly of FIG. 8A.

9 is an enlarged perspective view of a second embodiment of the showerhead engine assembly of the present invention comprising a cell, a stator, a spinner, a coupler, an O-ring, a pressure plate, and a face plate;

10A is a side view of the showerhead engine assembly of the present invention used in the fixed showerhead assembly of FIG.

FIG. 10B is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the showerhead engine assembly of FIG. 10A. FIG.

FIG. 11A is an enlarged view of the bottom surface of another preferred embodiment of the faceplate of the showerhead engine assembly of the present invention, showing that the faceplate has two spray selection modes: actuation-ventilated spray and unbiased spray; FIG.

FIG. 11B is a perspective view of the upper bottom surface of the plural plate of FIG. 11A. FIG.

FIG. 11C is a detailed view of one deflector in the faceplate of the showerhead assembly of FIG. 11B. FIG.

12A is a perspective view of an upper surface of another preferred embodiment of the showerhead engine assembly pressure plate of the present invention that is interchangeable and used in the faceplate shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B for a showerhead engine assembly.

12B is a perspective view of the bottom surface of the pressure plate of FIG. 12A.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the showerhead engine assembly of the present invention, wherein the showerhead engine assembly of FIG. 1 includes a self-cleaning ring for cleaning the opening in the pressure plate as the faceplate rotates relative to the pressure plate. .

FIG. 14 is an enlarged perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the showerhead engine assembly of the present invention having the two-piece fixed showerhead engine assembly of FIG. 9 and the midnight ring of FIG.

FIG. 15 is a partially enlarged perspective view illustrating the mutual coupling between the pressure plate and the midnight ring of FIGS. 13 and 14;

16A-16D are enlarged views of the mutual coupling between the midnight ring and face plate of FIGS. 13 and 14.

[Description of Symbols for Main Parts of Drawing]

20: stator 30: spinner

40: combiner 60: pressure plate

80: faceplate

1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a hand held showerhead engine assembly of the present invention. 7A-8C show the palm rested showerhead cell and casing 15a. The showerhead engine assembly 10 of the present invention includes a stator 20, a spinner 30, a coupler 40, a pressure plate 60, and a face plate 80.

High pressure water flows into the rear end of the showerhead cell of the present invention at 20 to 80 psi up to 2.5 gallons / minute @ 80 psi. The water is pressurized to the spinner 30 through the stator 20, introduced into the pressure plate 60, and discharged through the face plate 80 again. The spinner 30, the O ring and the coupler 40 are inserted into the pressure plate 60. The stator 20 is snapped to the pressure plate 60 and the face plate 80 is snapped to the coupler. Basically, the conventional hand held cell 15a is used.

2A and 2B show the bottom and top surfaces of the stator 20, spinner 30 and coupler 40. Water is obliquely introduced into the showerhead engine assembly of the present invention through passages 22 disposed on the outer circumference of the stator 20 and evenly spaced. This oblique inlet creates a vortex in the pressure plate of the showerhead engine assembly to rotate the spinner 30.

The stator 20 is a flat circular disk. The stator 20 includes a circularly arranged stator hub 21 having an orifice 24 disposed in a circular shape to receive the axis of the coupler 40. The stator 20 has eight spokes, and the spokes 23 are arranged uniformly symmetrically with respect to the stator hub 21. The spokes 23 extend from the stator hub 21 to the outer circumference of the stator 20. Four stator passages 22 are arranged on spokes that intersect on each spoke distal half. The stator outer passage 22 is formed between the flagged rises of the flat surface of the stator 20, and the stator 20 is inclined rearward toward the cell 15a. A pair of flanges 26 extending perpendicular to the plane of the stator 20 are in contact with two opposing stator outer passages 22. The flange 26 extends from the stator top surface 20A and engages with the inner surface of the cell 15a. This secures the stator relative to the cell 15 when pressurized water enters the showerhead assembly and enters the showerhead engine assembly of the present invention to prevent rotation of the stator 20. The stator 20 remains coupled by the cell of all spray selection patterns. The stator 20 includes a pair of stop ribs 28 extending from the stator bottom surface 20A. The stop rib 28 engages the spinner 30 to block rotation of the spinner when the spinner 30 is positioned axially upstream towards the stator 20. The stator ribs 28 are positioned so that the pads 37 do not disturb the flow through the stator outer passage 22 when the rotation of the spinner 30 is inhibited.

The spinner 30 has a circular shape with the spinner hub 32 disposed in the center, and the opening 33 is disposed in the center of the spinner hub 32. Spinner hub 32 includes a tubular extension 35 protruding from spinner 30 extending toward stator 20. The tubular extension 35 is seated in the stator hub 25. The spinner 30 has twelve blades 34 extending from the spinner hub 32 to the outer circumference of the spinner, the positions of the blades 34 being symmetrical and evenly spaced. The blade 34 extends in the axial direction, and the water flowing through the stator passage 22 will propel the blade 34 when the spinner 30 is released from the malfunctioner 20 resulting in a spinner action. The blades 34 are essentially radial and spiral, except for a slight overlap from the spinner center. This spiral enhances rotation. Two arcuate pads facing each other extend circumferentially around the outer circumference of the spinner 30, with each pad 37 connecting the three blades 34 together. The blades 34 are not fixed to each other.

When the spinner 30 rotates, the pressurized water strikes the pad 37 and obstructs the flow of water. If the pressurized water does not strike the pad 37, the flow is continuous. A series of blocking and nonblocking flows creates a pulsating effect. The two pads 37 block the flow of water through the showerhead engine assembly 10 of the present invention, giving jet velocity different speeds resulting in a "message action." The pad 37 is arranged such that the pad 37 is not in the passage of the water flow when the stationary spinner 30 is engaged with the stator 20, so that all flow is essentially continuous. The increase or decrease in the number of blades by each pad 37 generates different pulsation patterns.

As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the coupler 40 includes a stem-like member 42. The combiner top surface 40A includes a central portion forming a central chamber. The stem 42 is centrally located and extends upwardly. The stem 42 includes a thick inner portion 42a for seating engagement with the spinner hub 32 and a thin outer portion 42b for seating engagement with the stator hub 21. Shoulder 44 is disposed between stem inner portion 42a and stem outer portion 42b to prevent axial movement of spinner 30. The spinner 30 moves axially with the coupler 40 on the stem inner portion 42a. The stator 20 is fixed relative to the cell 15a.

The spinner 30 rests on the thick inner side of the coupler stem 42, and the stator 20 rests on the thin outer side 42a of the coupler stem 42. In order to minimize the engagement surface of the spinner 30 on the combiner 40, the central passage 31 extends through the spinner 30 at the upstream edge and slopes inwardly, which combines the combiner stem 42 and the spinner 30. Slightly reduce the friction surface between

The outer circumference of the coupler 40 is formed by a ring 48 that surrounds the coupler center 45. The ring 48 is secured to the coupler center 45 by three radial spokes 46, the radial spokes 46 of the coupler being evenly spaced about the coupler 40. The inner half of each spoke 46 is about three times thicker than the outer portion of the combiner spoke 46 for strength. The combiner spokes 46 divide the combiner outer circumference into three outer portions 47, each of which has an arcuate segment of about 120 °. Each outer circumferential portion 47 has a nub 50 disposed in the center, and the nub 50 is equal to or less than 45 ° sectors of the respective outer circumferential portion 47. The nubs 50 provide elasticity to the coupler 40 and provide a tight coupling between the coupler 40 and the pressure plate 60.

The recess 52 and the central chamber 56 are centrally located within the coupler bottom surface 40B. Three evenly spaced ribs 54 extend radially outwardly between an inner tubular wall 53 forming a central recess 52 and an outer tubular wall 55 surrounding the central chamber 56. do. The rib 54 divides the central chamber 56 into three pieces, each of which includes an arcuate segment of about 120 °. Each piece is aligned with the three outer perimeters 47 of the combiner 40.

When the coupler 40 is seated in the pressure plate 60, the coupler 40 is moved axially within the pressure plate 60 with the face plate 80, the face plate 80 being subjected to manual selection of the spray pattern. It moves in the axial direction. When the combiner 40 is repositioned axially towards the cell 15a, the spinner 30 is coupled with a pair of opposing stop ribs 28 disposed on two opposing blades 34 of the stator 20. Pressurized to engage. This coupling locks the spinner 30 against the stator 20. When the coupler 40 is moved axially from the bottom of the face plate 80, the spinner 30 also moves axially toward the face plate 80 on the coupler stem 42, thereby moving the spinner 30 to the stator 20. Release from). As a result, the high pressure water passes between the blades 34 of the spinner 30, resulting in a spinning action.

The axial force is controlled by the size of the O ring sealing the coupler stem 45a inside the bore of the pressure plate 60. The size of the o-ring 50 and the shaft is determined by the size required to drive the torque between the faceplate 80 and the coupler stem 45a.

4A shows the pressure plate upper surface 60 and FIG. 4B shows the pressure plate lower surface 60B. The pressure plate upper surface 60 is coupled with the coupler lower surface 40B, and the pressure plate lower surface 60B is coupled with the face plate upper surface 80A.

The pressure plate 60 includes a central opening 64 for receiving the coupler outer tubular wall 55. The wall 65, which forms the central opening 64 on the pressure plate upper surface 60A, is ramped in and out. The inner side of the pressure plate upper surface 60A is surrounded by a concentric cylindrical wall 66. The wall 66 surrounds the combiner ring 48 when engaged.

The opening wall 65 is divided so as to have an inclined upward segment 61A, a flat upper segment 61B, an inclined downward segment 61C, and a flat base segment 61D. The length and the slope of the sloped upward segment 61A are the same as the length and the slope of the sloped downward segment 61C. The length of the flat upper segment 61B is equal to the length of the flat base segment 61D. The lamp 61 at the opening wall 65 divides the opening wall into six equal parts. Since the combiner 40 rotates with the face plate 80 and moves in the axial direction, the lamp 61 is engaged with the combiner outer circumferential portion 47. When the combiner 40 is in the forward position, the combiner spokes 46 are aligned with the flat base segment 61D and the ramp 61 seated in the open coupler outer circumference 47. When the combiner 40 is moved backwards towards the cell 15a, the ramp 61 is aligned with the combiner spoke 46 which separates the combiner outer circumference 47.

The middle part of the pressure plate 60 is divided into 12 pie-shaped portions. The intersection includes a cluster 72 of jet orifices 73 extending through the pressure plate 60. Each cluster 72 takes the form of a box. Cluster 72 is located at the intersection. The openings are arranged in two groups, and the upper group is disposed above the lower group. There is no jet orifice at the other intersection. The outer side of the pressure plate upper surface 60A includes a circularly disposed recess 68 sandwiched between two annular flanges 67 and 69 for mutual engagement with the hand held showerhead cell 15a.

The hub 62b of the pressure plate lower surface 60B includes another series of three lamps 71 for engaging with three lamps 81 at the face plate upper surface 80A. Each lamp 71 on the pressure plate lower surface 60B is out of phase and aligned with the lamp 61 on the pressure plate upper surface 60a. The upper portion 71b of each lower lamp 61 is aligned with the lamp spacing portion 61D disposed on the pressure plate upper surface 60A. The lamp 71 on the pressure plate lower surface 60B takes the same shape as the lamp 81 on the face plate upper surface 80A as described below. The hub 82 on the face plate upper surface 80A and the hub 62b of the pressure plate 60 are divided into six equal parts whose intersections include lamps 71 or 81. The length of the upper and lower ramp portions of the coupler 40 and the pressure plate 60 and the face plate 80 is such that the face plate 80 and the coupler 40 can be freely moved to the correct axial position as shown in FIGS. 3B to 5A. It is formed to have a size. The relative positions of the lamps 71, 81 move the face plate 80 axially relative to the pressure plate 60 during manual selection of the spray pattern. In addition, each of the lamps 71 and 81 includes upward ramp surfaces 71A and 81A and downward ramp surfaces 71C and 71C. The lengths of the up ramp surfaces 71A and 81A are the same and oppose the inclination of the opposing ramp surfaces 71C and 81C. Pressure plate bottom surface 60B includes a cylindrical flange to receive face plate 80.

The central opening 64 of the pressure plate 60 is surrounded by an annular sleeve 68. Multiple platforms 43 are precisely disposed around the annular sleeve 68. The pressure plate upper surface 60A includes a recess 68 disposed between the outer circumferential portion 67 and the outer rim 69 as shown in FIG. 4A. The recess 68 allows the pressure plate 60 to be firmly supported on the cells 15 of the showerhead. The pressure plate 60 includes a circular lip 70 extending from the pressure plate bottom surface 60B. The lip 70 is concentric with the central passage 63 and surrounds the face plate 80.

The face plate 80 has a cylindrical shape and includes a top surface 80A as shown in FIG. 5A and a flat bottom surface 80B as shown in FIG. 5B. The face plate top surface 80A includes a central axis 84 extending from the top toward the showerhead cell 15a. The central axis 84 of the face plate 80 is seated in the central portion of the coupler 40. Surrounding the axis is a cylindrical wall with three notches. Each notch 85 is evenly spaced and extends from the flat faceplate top surface 80A to the distal end of the cylindrical wall. The notch 85 is engaged with the bottom surface 40B of the combiner rib. The center portion of the face plate upper surface 80A includes three lamps 81 for engagement with the lamp 71 on the pressure plate lower surface 60B as described above.

The outer portion of the faceplate lower surface 80A includes twelve passageways 92 of the same size and shape, each passageway 92 being symmetrically spaced about a central axis along a common perimeter. The six passages 92a are hollow and not blocked by unbiased flow. The crossover passage 92b is divided into four identical quadrants by a pair of cross sections 93. The outer circumference of the face plate upper surface 80A is a cylindrical flange 88 to be supported in the pressure plate 60. The faceplate bottom surface 80B includes a convex foam deflector surface 98 that covers the passage 92b. Deflection flow occurs when the foamed deflector surface 98 is aligned with the cluster 72 of jet orifices in the pressure plate 60. Undeflected flow occurs when the undeflected outlet passage 92a aligns with the cluster 72 of jet orifices in the pressure plate 60. The spray pattern selector 99 extends radially outward and extends rearward from the outer periphery of the face plate 80. The spray pattern selector 99 makes it possible to safely grip the faceplate 80 to reposition the cell 15 for spray pattern selection. Since the jet impact striking the faceplate 80 is through the foamed deflector surface 98, the faceplate 80 is required to be attached only to the combiner stem 42 with low snap engagement force.

The spacing 81D between each lamp allows the lamp on the opposite side of the selected spray pattern to be seated therebetween. The lamp allows the face plate 80 and coupler 40 to move axially relative to the pressure plate 60, and also the spinner axially relative to the stator 20, which selectively engages and releases the spinner 30. Make it moveable. The inlet spray is selectively protruded through the non deflecting passage 92a of the faceplate 80 and the foamed deflector surface 98, the spinner 30 is selectively engaged and released, and four unique spray patterns are possible. . The pressure chamber is the region between the pressure plate upper surface 60A and the cell 15a. The spray selection chamber is located between the pressure plate bottom face 60B and the face plate top face 80A. Water enters the stator 20 at 12-18 psi, flows out of the spinner 30 at 7-14 psi, and the water leaves the pressure plate 60 at atmospheric pressure. The combiner 40 acts as an adapter for coupling the pressure chamber and the spray selection chamber. The o-ring is disposed on the combiner bottom surface 40B to provide a seal between the pressure chamber and the spray selection chamber.

The pressure plate 60 is fixed to the cell and does not move in the axial or rotational position with respect to the cell. Likewise, the stator 20 does not move axially in conjunction with the pressure plate 60 and does not rotate with respect to the cell. The face plate 80 is rotated relative to the cell during manual selection of the spray pattern. As the face plate 80 rotates relative to the pressure plate 60 during spray pattern selection, the face plate 80 is moved in and out in the axial direction, and one complete rotation includes six inner and six outer positions. . The face plate 80 is moved axially with selective position selection, the pattern being A, A, B, B, A, A, B, B, A, A, B and B for each complete rotation. The hole clusters in the pressure plate 60 align with the foam deflector surface or with passages disposed between the foam deflector surfaces to provide various spray patterns.

Preferred embodiments of the showerhead engine assembly of the present invention shown in Figs. 1-8 include two pulsating positions and two non-pulsating positions. Since the face plate 80 is divided into 12 equal parts in the radial direction, the spray selection pattern is repeated three times during the complete rotation of the face plate 80.

Since the spray pattern selector 99 rotates to select the spray pattern, the axial position of the spinner 30 moves back and forth with respect to the stator 20 as described above.

When the coupler outer circumference 47 is aligned with the pressure plate lamp 61, the lamp 61 is seated on the outer circumference 47 to move the combiner 40 forward with respect to the pressure plate 60 and the spinner 30 to the stator. Move forward with respect to (20). Forward movement of the spinner 30 relative to the stator 20 releases the spinner 20 from engagement with the stator stop rib 28. By the jet orifice 73 of the pressure plate 60 aligned with the non-deflecting passage 92a of the face plate 80, the water jet continues a straight, narrow (non-deflecting) spray pattern. By rotating the faceplate 80 relative to the cell 15, the foamed deflector surface 98 is aligned with the jet orifice 73. At this time, the water jet is deflected in the opposite spray pattern. During the rotation of the spinner 30, the pressurized water flowing through the stator outer circumferential passage 22 stops leaving the jet orifice 73 of the plate 60 by the opposing pads 37. Rotation of the spinner 30 allows for a biased pulsating mode and an unbiased pulsating mode.

To operate in unbiased mode, the faceplate 80 rotates again. The ramp 61 on the pressure plate upper surface 60A is moved to align with the combiner spoke 46. This causes the coupler 40 to move backwards and to move the spinner 30 into contact with the stator stop rib 28. This coupling blocks the spinner 30 such that the jet of water discharges the showerhead engine assembly 10 of the present invention in a continuous non-blocking spray pattern. By the jet orifice 73 in the pressure plate 60 in alignment with the non-deflecting passage 92a in the face plate 80, the water jet continues a straight, unbiased narrow spray pattern. By rotating the faceplate 80 relative to the cell 15, the foamed deflector surface 98 is aligned with the jet orifice 73. At this time, the water jet has a very constant velocity and is deflected in a large spray pattern. Accurate alignment is once again ensured by the detent action of the coupler 40 to the pressure plate 60 (snap engagement to the face plate 80).

The seal number of the showerhead engine assembly of the present invention is not related to the number of spray patterns. The smaller the sealing number, the smaller the sealing surface. The pressure range of the showerhead engine assembly of the present invention is unique in that the fluid pressure leaving the pressure plate 60 is essentially atmospheric.

9 shows a second embodiment of the showerhead engine assembly 10b of the present invention. The showerhead engine assembly 10b is a stationary unit mounted to the cell 15b. The showerhead engine assembly is the stator 20, the spinner 30, the coupler 40, the O-ring 50, and the pressure plate 60 in the same manner as the first embodiment of the showerhead engine assembly shown in FIG. 1. ) And a face plate 80. Cell 15b is a fixed showerhead assembly identical to a conventional cell. FIG. 10A is a side view of the showerhead cell and casing of FIG. 9, and FIG. 10B is a partial cross-sectional view of the showerhead engine assembly of FIG. 10A.

The cell 15b is part of a permanent attachment mechanism that is welded to the pressure plate 60, and the cell 15b is directly attached to the water connection mechanism of the fixed unit shown in FIG. The bush is helically attached to the cell 15b. The cell further includes a transverse rod that divides the shower spray into the same quadrant (not shown). Care should be taken to ensure that no welding occurs at locations other than the main weld site. In one example, different materials, such as ABS or acetal, may be used to define the weld surface. Optionally, the spinner 30, coupler 40 and stator 20 may be assembled to a pressure plate 60, and the showerhead engine assembly of the present invention may be welded to the cell. Thereafter, the face plate 80 is pressed onto the coupler 40, and the coupler 40 is firmly seated relative to the stator 20.

11A and 11B show top and bottom surfaces of face plate 180 of another embodiment for use in the showerhead engine assembly of the present invention. The faceplate 180 shown provides a vented unbiased spray. Pulsation selection mode may be provided when used for spinners and stators. The face plate 180 may be comparable to the pressure plate 60, the coupler 40, the spinner 30, and the stator 20 of FIG. 1. The draft flow takes place near atmospheric pressure. The draft flow passage 192b crosses the non-deflecting passage 192a and includes an inlet head 196 disposed centrally and positioned on the faceplate top surface 80A. As shown in FIG. 11C, each inlet head 196 is surrounded by eight spokes 197 extending radially. The inlet head 196 and the spokes 197 are integral with the flow passage 192b and the spokes 197 do not rotate. The inlet head 196 takes the form of a dome. The water jet passing through the pressure plate 60 hits the inlet head 196 that collapses the water jet while introducing air into the flow passage 192b. Since the surface tension is sufficient to divert the passage of the water jet, they leave the inlet head 196 precisely and attach to the top surface inlet head 196. Once attached to the surface, the water jet tries to remain attached due to surface tension (Coanda effect). This occurs when the water jet strikes the convex surface of the inlet head 196, creating an internal pressure that effectively ejects the water jet towards the surface. Inlet head 196 may be used on foamed deflector surface 98 to provide deflection and aeration spray. The inlet head 196 may also be used with spinner 30 and stator 20 to provide a messaging spray mode.

Such water streams reorient the jets by bombarding the jets on the various deflector surfaces disposed within faceplate 80. This deflector surface is disposed in the cross opening of the face plate 80, and an enlarged view of the vent deflector surface is shown in Fig. 11C. The water jet passes through the opening and is not deflected, hitting a series of deflector surfaces and setting the orientation, thus providing a much more varied and less azimuth spray pattern. Spray pattern selection is achieved by rotating face plate 80 relative to pressure plate 60. The face plate 80 is "keyed" and is press-inserted into the coupler 40. Rotation of this assembly results in opening of the holes and aligns the deflector surface with the jet orifice 73.

12A and 12B show another embodiment of a pressure plate 260 for a showerhead engine assembly of the present invention. In this embodiment, the hub portion of the pressure plate 260 has been modified to remove the lamp features 61, 71 and to include the face plate 80 of FIG. 5 to form a two-piece assembly. Since no connection to the coupler is required, no pressure seal is required and no O-ring is required. The assembly provides only two modes of operation: unbiased and non-pulsating sprays, and deflecting and non-pulsating sprays. Spray selection is again made by rotating face plate 80 relative to pressure plate 260. This allows the face plate and the pressure plate to be interchanged with similar parts of other assemblies, reducing the number of replacement parts required for the parts inventory. Detent features may be included between face plate 80 and pressure plate 260.

13-16d show a novel showerhead engine assembly. FIG. 13 illustrates a preferred embodiment with the showerhead engine assembly of FIG. 1 including a midnight ring 110 that cleans the opening in the pressure plate 60 as the faceplate 80 rotates against it. Likewise, FIG. 14 shows an assembly view of the midnight ring 110 shown in FIG. 13 in the showerhead engine assembly of FIG.

Six midnight pins 103 are disposed perpendicular to the plane of the spring wire ring 105. Jet orifice 173 includes a central opening 173a having four small openings 173b that intersect the central opening 173a. Each pin 103 of the spring wire ring 105 is located in the central opening 173a. The pin 103 is driven into the hole 65 by the rotating action of the shower face plate 80 to perform a cleaning action.

As the relative position of the face plate 80 rotates around the cell-spring combination upon spring selection, the edge of the face plate 80 presses the pin 103 to move back and forth axially within the jet orifice 173. . Jet orifice 173 and fin 103 are inclined, and upward movement of fin 103 into jet orifice 173 opens the inner edge of jet orifice 173 to allow water to flow.

FIG. 15 shows an enlarged coupling between the pressure plate 60 of FIGS. 13 and 14 and the midnight spring wire ring, and FIGS. 16A-16D illustrate the coupling between the midnight ring and face plate 80 of FIGS. 13 and 14. It is shown enlarged.

Although the preferred embodiment for midnight is shown in FIGS. 1 and 9, those skilled in the art should recognize that it may be applicable to other embodiments described. The principles of the present invention can be applied not only to hand-held and stationary types, but also to other types of sprinklers including showers, nozzles and lawn sprinklers, and dental and sprinkler systems.

The present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments, and is not limited thereto, and one of ordinary skill in the art should recognize that various modifications and changes can be made to the present invention without departing from the appended claims.

Claims (32)

A showerhead engine assembly comprising a spinner, a stator, a pressure plate, and a faceplate, the showerhead engine assembly capable of holding and supporting a showerhead Means for generating a non-pulsating non-deflecting spray pattern when the spinner is stationary and the face plate position relative to the pressure plate is in the first position; Means for generating a non-pulsating deflection spray pattern when the spinner is stationary and the faceplate position relative to the pressure plate is in the second position; Means for generating a pulsating unbiased spray pattern when the spinner rotates and the faceplate position relative to the pressure plate is in the third position; And a means for generating a pulsating deflection spray pattern when the spinner rotates and the faceplate position relative to the pressure plate is in the fourth position. 2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a ring member having a plurality of fins extending axially, each fin extending through a water outlet providing a self-cleaning action as the faceplate rotates relative to the pressure plate. Showerhead engine assembly. The showerhead engine assembly of claim 1, wherein the showerhead engine assembly comprises up to ten parts. 2. The showerhead engine assembly of claim 1, further comprising a pressure chamber disposed on top of the pressure plate, wherein the selection of the deflected or undeflected flow is made at the bottom of the pressure chamber where the fluid pressure is near atmospheric pressure. A showerhead engine assembly comprising a spinner, a stator, a coupling member, and a pressure plate, wherein the coupling member is disposed above the pressure chamber of the pressure plate and moved axially during spray pattern selection. The axial movement of the coupling member in the first position causes mutual coupling between the stator and the spinner to prevent rotational movement of the spinner with respect to the stator, and by means of a series of axial movements of the coupling member to the second position, the spinner And freely rotate relative to the pulsation spray pattern. 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising a plurality of seals for mutually coupling the pressure chamber and the spray selection chamber, wherein at least one of the seals is disposed between the pressure chamber and the spray selection chamber, wherein the seal number is Showerhead engine assembly, characterized in that it is irrelevant to water. 6. The device of claim 5, further comprising a ring member having a plurality of pins extending axially, each pin extending through a water outlet providing a self-cleaning action as the face plate rotates with respect to the pressure plate. Showerhead engine assembly. 6. The showerhead engine assembly of claim 5, wherein the choice of deflected or non-deflected flow is made at the bottom of the pressure chamber where the fluid pressure is near atmospheric. A pressure plate on which a plurality of hole clusters are disposed; A face plate rotatable relative to the pressure plate, A ring member having a plurality of pins extending axially, Rotation of the face plate is useful for the selection of a plurality of spray patterns, each pin being inclined from the ring member to the inner end, each pin extending through the hole in one hole cluster, manipulating the face plate relative to the pressure plate. And pressurize the pins deeper into the holes and clean dirt from inside the claws of the holes. 10. The showerhead engine assembly of claim 9, wherein the fins clean dirt from one or more holes. 10. The showerhead engine assembly of claim 9, further comprising a pressure chamber disposed on top of the pressure plate, wherein the selection of the deflected or undeflected flow is made at the bottom of the pressure chamber where the fluid pressure is near atmospheric pressure. A showerhead engine assembly comprising a pressure plate and allowing selection of one of a plurality of spray patterns, A pressure chamber disposed above the pressure plate, A spray selection chamber disposed under the pressure plate, Coupling means for coupling the pressure chamber with the spray selection chamber, The coupling means further comprises a plurality of seals, at least one of the seals being disposed between the pressure chamber and the spray selection chamber, wherein the seal number is independent of the number of spray patterns. . 13. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a plurality of seals for mutually coupling the pressure chamber and the spray selection chamber, wherein at least one of the seals is disposed between the pressure chamber and the spray selection chamber, wherein the seal number is defined by the spray pattern. Showerhead engine assembly, characterized in that it is irrelevant to water. 13. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a ring member having a plurality of pins extending axially, each pin extending through a water outlet providing a self-cleaning action as the face plate rotates with respect to the pressure plate. Showerhead engine assembly. A faceplate for use in a showerhead assembly system, A plurality of first openings to allow selection of the first spray pattern, A plurality of second openings that allow selection of a second spray pattern, The faceplate may be comparable to the first showerhead engine assembly, wherein the first showerhead engine assembly provides a plurality of spray patterns, the first showerhead engine assembly does not comprise a pulsating spray pattern, Comparable to a second showerhead engine assembly, wherein the second showerhead engine assembly provides a plurality of spray patterns, and the second showerhead engine assembly includes at least one pulsating spray pattern. Faceplate for use in the system. A showerhead engine assembly comprising a spinner, a pressure plate and a faceplate, Means for coupling the spinner and the pressure plate, A pressure chamber disposed above the pressure plate, Means for generating an unbiased non-pulsating spray pattern when the spinner is stationary and the faceplate position relative to the pressure plate is in the first position; The spinner is stationary and includes means for generating a deflection non-pulsating spray pattern when the faceplate position relative to the pressure plate is in the second position, Spray pattern selection is made at a fluid pressure that is at least atmospheric pressure. 17. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a ring member having a plurality of fins extending axially, each fin extending through a water outlet providing a self-cleaning action as the faceplate rotates relative to the pressure plate. Showerhead engine assembly. A showerhead engine assembly comprising a pressure plate, A pressure chamber disposed above the pressure plate, A spray selection chamber comprising a face plate disposed under the pressure plate, Coupling means for coupling the pressure chamber with the spray selection chamber, The coupling means comprises a plurality of seals disposed between the pressure chamber and the spray selection chamber, wherein the seal number is independent of the number of spray patterns and the lower fluid pressure is less than 5 psi. 19. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a ring member having a plurality of fins extending axially, each fin extending through a water outlet providing a self-cleaning action as the faceplate rotates relative to the pressure plate. Showerhead engine assembly. 19. The showerhead engine assembly of claim 18, further comprising a pressure chamber disposed on top of the pressure plate, wherein the selection of deflected or undeflected flow is made at the bottom of the pressure chamber. A showerhead engine assembly comprising a pressure plate, A spray selection chamber disposed under the pressure plate, Coupling means for coupling the pressure chamber with the spray selection chamber, A spring disposed in said pressure chamber, The lower fluid pressure is 5 psi or less, the coupling means includes a seal to enable spray selection at atmospheric pressure, the spring includes a plurality of pins positioned perpendicular to the plane of the spring, the pin diameter being greater than the hole diameter. Small, the pin may be located in a hole in the pressure plate during spray selection. 22. The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising a ring member having a plurality of fins extending axially, each fin extending through a water outlet providing a self-cleaning action as the faceplate rotates relative to the pressure plate. Showerhead engine assembly. 22. The showerhead engine assembly of claim 21, further comprising a pressure chamber disposed on top of the pressure plate, wherein the selection of the deflected or undeflected flow is made at the bottom of the pressure chamber where the fluid pressure is substantially atmospheric pressure. A showerhead engine assembly comprising a spinner and a pressure plate and a faceplate, the spinner being disposed about an axis and rotating about an axis, Means for generating an unbiased non-pulsating spray pattern and a deflection non-pulsating spray pattern when the spinner is stationary and the face plate positions relative to the pressure plate are tightly aligned with each other; The spinner includes means for generating a pulsating deflection spray pattern and a pulsating non-deflecting spray pattern when the spinner rotates and the faceplate positions relative to the pressure plate are tightly aligned with each other, The spinner includes a centrally disposed passageway and a lip disposed within the passageway, wherein the lip is rotatably supported about an axis to provide a minimum support surface for rotation. 25. The apparatus of claim 24, further comprising a ring member having a plurality of pins extending axially, each pin extending through a water outlet providing a self-cleaning action as the face plate rotates with respect to the pressure plate. Showerhead engine assembly. 25. The showerhead engine assembly of claim 24, further comprising a pressure chamber disposed on top of the pressure plate, wherein the selection of the deflected or undeflected flow is made at the bottom of the pressure chamber where the fluid pressure is near atmospheric pressure. Ventilating operation mode when the faceplate is first rotationally aligned with respect to the pressure plate, jet spray mode when the faceplate is second rotationally aligned with respect to the pressure plate, pulsating aeration operation mode when the faceplate is third rotationally aligned with respect to the pressure plate, And a pressure plate and a face plate for providing a pulsating jet spray mode when fourth rotationally aligned with respect to the pressure plate. 28. The showerhead engine assembly of claim 27, further comprising a self-cleaning water flow opening in the pressure plate. 28. The apparatus of claim 27, further comprising a ring member having a plurality of pins extending axially, each pin extending through a water outlet providing a self-cleaning action as the face plate rotates with respect to the pressure plate. Showerhead engine assembly. 28. The showerhead engine assembly of claim 27, wherein the showerhead engine assembly comprises up to ten parts. 28. The showerhead engine assembly of claim 27, wherein the showerhead engine assembly comprises self-cleaning means. 19. The showerhead engine assembly of claim 18, further comprising an interchangeable faceplate, wherein one of the faceplates provides at least a deflection spray mode of operation and the remainder of the faceplates provides at least an unbiased spray mode of operation. .