KR20180090959A - Showerhead, showerhead fluid concentrator, and method - Google Patents

Abstract

A showerhead having a housing, a puncturing partition and a nozzle body is provided. The housing has a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. A perforation partition is provided in the housing between the inlet and the outlet and has at least one peripheral fluid passageway in communication with the fluid inlet. Each peripheral fluid passageway communicates with a peripheral slot extending inwardly from the downstream end, each slot communicating with the mixing cavity at its downstream end. The nozzle body is held by the housing on the downstream side of the mixing cavity and has a compression port at the upstream end and an outlet port at the downstream end in fluid communication with the compression port. Methods are also provided.

Description

Showerhead, showerhead fluid concentrator, and method

This application claims the benefit of U. S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 157,334, filed May 5, 2015, entitled " Showerhead, Showerhead Fluid Concentrator and Method, " Filed on April 22, 2016, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference. This application also claims priority to U.S. Design Patent Application No. 29 / 562,658, filed April 27, 2016, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The presently disclosed subject matter relates to an apparatus and method for dispersing a fluid such as water. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for guiding and distributing water from a showerhead.

A technique of dispensing water in a pattern of a showerhead is known. However, due to limited water supply, drought and water management efforts, it is difficult to implement a powerful and effective shower spray.

There is a need for improvement in how effectively and efficiently water is dispensed from the showerhead.

According to one aspect, there is provided a showerhead having a housing, a perforated partition, and a nozzle body. The housing has a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. A perforation partition is provided in the housing between the inlet and the outlet and has at least one peripheral fluid passageway in communication with the fluid inlet. Each peripheral fluid passageway communicates with a peripheral slot extending inwardly from the downstream end, each slot communicating with the mixing cavity at its downstream end. The nozzle body is held by the housing downstream of the mixing cavity and has a compression port at the upstream end and an outlet port at the downstream end in fluid communication with the compression port.

According to yet another aspect, there is provided a showerhead having a housing, a baffle, and a nozzle body. The housing has a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The baffle is provided in a housing between an inlet and an outlet having one or more fluid passages extending into the baffle and communicating with the fluid inlet. At least one passage is configured to communicate with a fluid passage extending radially inwardly in communication with the mixing cavity at the outlet end. The nozzle body is held by the housing downstream of the mixing chamber, with a compression stage at the upstream end and a fluid outlet at the downstream end in fluid communication with the upstream end.

According to yet another aspect, a showerhead fluid concentrator having a housing and a baffle is provided. The housing has a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The baffle is provided in the housing between the inlet and the outlet and has at least one peripheral fluid passage extending from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet. At least one peripheral fluid passageway terminates inwardly at the downstream end to communicate with the mixing cavity.

According to another aspect, a method of dispersing water is provided. The method comprising the steps of: providing a housing having a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and a baffle, the baffle communicating with the inlet and extending through the baffle from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet, A cavity and a mixing chamber, and provided in a housing between an inlet and an outlet having at least one peripheral fluid passageway terminating in a nozzle body downstream of the mixing cavity; Transferring a source of water under pressure to the fluid inlet; Dispersing water into at least one inwardly extending peripheral passage through at least one peripheral fluid passage; Mixing water in the mixing cavity; Compressing the mixed water through the upstream portion of the nozzle body and injecting the mixed water from the nozzle body through the fluid outlet.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
1 is a perspective view showing a shower head.
Figure 1a is a component perspective view of a fluid hub and rotor assembly from the showerhead of Figure 1;
2 is a side view of the shower head of Fig.
3 is a centerline cross-sectional view of the showerhead of Figs. 1 and 2 taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 2. Fig.
Figure 4 is a centerline cross-sectional view of the showerhead of Figure 3 showing a bell housing assembly corresponding to the view of Figure 3 but articulated to the angled position relative to the ball end mount.
Figure 5 is a perspective view of the fluid hub from the showerhead of Figures 1-4 taken from the upstream end.
6 is a perspective view of the fluid hub from the showerhead of Figs. 1-4 taken from the upstream end; Fig.
Figure 7 is an upstream end view of the fluid hub of Figures 5 and 6;
8 is a centerline cross-sectional view of the fluid hub taken along line 8-8 of FIG.
Figure 9 is a downstream end view of the fluid hub of Figures 5-8.
Fig. 10 is a side view of a nozzle body insert used in the showerhead of Figs. 1-4; Fig.
11 is a centerline cross-sectional view of the nozzle body insert of Fig. 10 taken along line 11-11 of Fig. 10. Fig.
12 is an exploded side view in which a portion of the housing component of the showerhead assembly of Figs. 1-4 is removed.
13 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along line 13-13 of Fig.
Figure 14 is a side view of the rotor housing for the showerhead assembly of Figures 1-4;
15 is a centerline cross-sectional view taken along line 15-15 of Fig.
Figure 16 is a perspective view from the upstream end of the showerhead rotor insert body for the showerhead assembly of Figures 1-4;
17 is a side view of the showerhead rotor of FIG. 16;
18 is a center line cross-sectional view taken along line 18-18 of Fig.
Fig. 19 is a downstream end view of the showerhead rotor of Figs. 16-18. Fig.
20 is a perspective view showing another showerhead.
FIG. 21 is a side view of the shower head of FIG. 20; FIG.
22 is a center line cross-sectional view of the showerhead of Figs. 20 and 21 taken along line 22-22 of Fig.
23 is a top end entrance view of the flow restrictor plug of Fig.
Figure 24 is a side view of the flow restrictor plug for the showerhead of Figures 20-22.
25 is a centerline cross-sectional view of a flow restrictor plug taken along line 25-25 of Fig.
Fig. 26 is a top end view of the alternating rotor for the showerhead of Fig. 20; Fig.
27 is a side view of the rotor of Fig. 26;
27A is a side view of a threaded fastener used to mount the rotor of FIG. 27;
27B is an end view of the threaded fastener of Fig.
28 is a center line cross-sectional view of the rotor taken along line 28-28 in Fig.
29 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the rotor taken along line 29-29 of Fig.
30 is a top end view of the second alternate rotor for the showerhead of Fig. 20;
31 is a side view of the rotor of Fig. 30;
32 is a schematic diagram showing the water flow outlet path from each port on the spinner of Figs. 30 and 31; Fig.
33 is a perspective view showing still another shower head.
34 is a plan view of the flow deflecting the rotor housing for the showerhead of FIG. 33;
35 is a side view of the rotor housing of Fig. 34;
36 is a center line cross-sectional view taken along lines 36-36 of Fig.
37 is a perspective view showing still another shower head.
38 is a side view of the shower head of Fig. 37;
39 is a center line cross-sectional view of the showerhead of Figs. 38 and 39 taken along lines 39-39 of Fig.
Figure 40 is a perspective view from the upstream end of the showerhead rotor for the showerhead assembly of Figures 37-39.
41 is a side view of the showerhead rotor of FIG. 40;
42 is a centerline cross-sectional view of the showerhead rotor of FIG. 40 taken along lines 42-42 of FIG. 41;
Figure 43 is a perspective view from an upstream end of an alternative showerhead rotor similar to the rotor shown in Figure 40 for use in the showerhead assembly of Figures 37-39.
44 is a side view of the showerhead rotor of FIG. 43;
45 is a center line cross-sectional view of the showerhead rotor of FIG. 43 taken along lines 45-45 of FIG. 44;
46 is a perspective view showing still another shower head.
Figure 46A is a component perspective view of the fluid hub and diverging conical nozzle from the showerhead of Figure 46;
47 is a side view of the shower head of FIG. 46;
Figure 48 is a centerline cross-sectional view of the showerhead of Figures 46 and 47 taken along lines 48-48 of Figure 47;
Figure 49 is a perspective view of the fluid hub from the showerhead of Figures 46-48 taken from the upstream end.
Figure 50 is a perspective view of the fluid hub from the showerhead of Figures 46-48 taken from the downstream end;
Figure 51 is an upstream end view of the fluid hub of Figures 46-48.
52 is a centerline cross-sectional view of the fluid hub taken along line 52-52 of FIG.
Figure 53 is a downstream end view of the fluid hub of Figures 49- 52;
54 is a side view of the nozzle body insert used in the showerhead of Figs. 46-48.
55 is a center line cross-sectional view of the nozzle body insert taken along the line 55-55 in FIG.
56 is an optional nozzle for the showerhead of Figs. 46-48, wherein perturbation or interruption is provided on the inner conical surface of the diverging conical nozzle.
57 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 57-57 in Fig.
58 is a second alternative nozzle for the showerhead of Figs. 46-48, wherein the diverging conical nozzle has a converging segment upstream of the diverging cone.
59 is a center line cross-sectional view taken along line 59-59 of FIG. 58;
Figure 60 is a table of test results detailing the water line pressure and flow rate for the embodiments of Figures 1 to 19, 46 to 55 and exemplary prior art showerheads.
Figure 61 is a table of test results detailing the water line pressure and flow for the embodiment of Figures 1 - 19 and 46 - 55, including three uniquely different flow restrictor plates.
62 is a perspective view showing a sink tap similar to the shower head shown in the embodiment of Figs. 20 to 22. Fig.
63 is a perspective view showing another sink faucet having a hub having a straight nozzle body insert;

This disclosure is submitted for the constitutional purposes of the United States Patent Act "Promoting the Advancement of Science and Useful Skills" (1, 8).

1 is a shower head. Figures 1 to 19 show the showerhead according to one embodiment in which the spinner is driven by water and leaves the nozzle from the mixing chamber to rotate the spinner to eject water through the plurality of fluid ejection ports.

FIG. 1 illustrates a showerhead assembly 10 having a housing 12 or spinner 14 with a pod-shaped bell assembly or water ejection rotor in accordance with one embodiment. The bell housing (12) includes a bell (16) secured on the bell retainer (18). The bell assembly 12 is captured to pivotally reposition about the ball end fitting 20 as shown in Figs. When the rotor 14 is driven to rotate about the retaining fastener 24 the outlet hole on the rotor 14 or the array 31 of ports 32 emits water at the outlet end of the showerhead assembly 10 . The spinning action of the rotor 14 is imparted by discharging fluid or water from the port 32 in one or more of two ways. First, the fluid is directed into a swirl motion within the housing or mixing hub 26 in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. Second, the fluid is mixed centrally in the mixing hub 26 and discharged through the fluid discharge port 32, and at least one of the fluid injection ports 32 is tangentially connected to the rotor 14 . In both cases, the mixing hub 26 is configured to couple a plurality of discrete converging fluid jets through the fluid passages or ports to a central mixing chamber where the plurality of fluid jets or passages are agitated and intermixed in intense and chaotic energy conditions, Through individual passages. The mass of the rotating vortex or the rapidly rotating water is transferred from the water injected under pressure through the port 32 into the mixing hub 26. According to the embodiment of the showerhead assembly 10, the rotational action of the rotor 14 is imparted by both vortex and angled fluid injection.

FIG. 1A shows a mixing hub 26 and a rotor 14 during assembly and removed from the showerhead assembly 10 (of FIG. 1). The rotor 14 is retained to rotate by the screw fastener 24 at the downstream end of the mixing hub 26. The threaded end 82 on the fastener 24 is attached within the complementary threaded bore 80 of the mixing hub 26. The mixing hub 26 delivers pressurized fluid through the nozzle body 69 into the rotor 14 and causes the rotor 14 to rotate and inject fluid from the array 31 of fluid ejection ports 32, 32, the water is dispersed by centrifugal force. The mixing hub 26 includes an outer retaining plunger 64, a cylindrical outer seating surface 66, and a cylindrical outer surface 68.

2, the ball end 20 includes a downstream end 22 of the ball end mount 22, which is used to mount the showerhead assembly 10 in a fluid-tight relationship to a threaded pipe fitting installed in a shower or wash area, As shown in FIG. The bell 16 and the bell retainer 18 are assembled around the ball end mount 22. The ball end mount 22 includes a pair of flat tool surfaces 28, 30 provided on opposite sides of the mount 22 in a facing parallel relationship. The tool surfaces 28, 30 are provided to receive the wrenches when screwing and unscrewing the showerhead assembly 10 from the outlet pipe fittings. The rotor 14 is fixed to the showerhead assembly 10 by a fastener 24 for rotation.

Figure 3 is a vertical centerline cross-sectional view of the showerhead assembly 10 of Figures 1 and 2. The inlet fitting or connector portion 34 is formed in the ball end mount 22 of the showerhead assembly 10 at an upstream end that includes a cylindrical female threaded portion 36. The flats 28, 30 are spaced apart to receive a wrench when screwing the portion 36 onto a complementary threaded water pipe fitting in the water supply line. The diffuser plate 40 is selectively received on a circumferential shelf provided on the transition between the portion 34 and the cylindrical inlet bore 38. The water passes under pressure from the source to the cylindrical bore 38 through a plurality of flow restriction openings 42 in the diffuser plate 40. The number and size of openings 42 in plate 40 may be varied to achieve the desired flow restriction. The water exits the bore 38 into the reduced diameter bore 44 where it passes under pressure into the toroidal chamber 46 for delivery into and through the mixing hub or housing 26. The reduced diameter bore 44 concentrates and pressurizes water from the bore 38 for delivery into the chamber 46 under pressure. The mixing hub 26 and the rotor 14 are coaxially mounted within the cylindrical recess 56 of the bell assembly 12.

As shown in FIG. 3, the pressurized water enters the mixing hub 26 at the inlet end along the toroidal chamber 46. Water from the chamber 46 is sent radially outwardly and flows into a plurality of circumferential fluid ports 48 in axial communication with peripheral slots or passages (see FIG. 6) extending radially inwardly, The slots communicate with a common or central mixing cavity 92 at the outlet end. The water is then mixed in the chamber or cavity 92 either in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. After being mixed in the chamber 92, the water is transferred into the funnel shape into the coaxial bore 50 provided in the nozzle body insert 69, where the rotor or spinner 14 is rotationally driven around the fastener 24 And is injected under pressure from the nozzle body 69 in a pressurized and vortex configuration. The water is concentrated in the compression annular cavity 52 which opens into the radially enlarged columnar cavity 54 which acts as a backsplacing means. The water is then delivered from the cavity 54 and the rotor 14 is rotated and injected through the plurality of fluid injection ports 32 to impart a rotating pattern of flowing droplets that spread as a result of centrifugal force.

When assembled, the rotor insert body 17 is press fit into the complementary rotor housing or megaphone 15 to form the rotor 14. Similarly, the nozzle body insert 69 is press fit into the cylindrical bore 70 of the mixing hub 26. Optionally a small radially inwardly extending lip flange is provided on the downstream end of the cylindrical wall portion 68 and a nozzle body insert 69 is provided to receive the nozzle body insert 69 within the bore 70 And is forcibly pressed into the bore 70 through such flange. Finally, the mixing hub 26 includes a housing having a cylindrical lip flange 64, a cylindrical mounting wall portion 66, and a cylindrical wall portion 68 extending radially outward. The cylindrical bore 78 is sized to receive the cylindrical wall portion 66 of the mixing hub 26 and the flange 64 is seated atop and around the bore 78. The synthetic rubber gasket 62 is seated on top of the flange 64 in the cylindrical gasket seat 76 to capture and seal the mixing hub 26 within the bore 78. The gasket 62 provides a sealed joint connecting joint between the ball end 20 and the bell assembly 12 while the ball 20 is rotated with one of a plurality of preferred angular orientations relative to the bell assembly 12, The gasket 62 is seated against the ball 20 and the retaining shoulder 74 holds the ball 20 in the bell assembly 12.

The bell assembly 12 is formed of two parts, a bell 16 and a bell cantilever 18. The thread 58 on the bell retainer 18 engages in a threaded engagement complementary to the thread 60 on the bell 16 to secure the assembly and capture of the ball 20 between the seal 62 and the retaining shoulder 74 .

During operation, water is passed through the mixing hub 26, is energized, is discharged in an energized swirl state, and is concentrated in a concentrated manner with the truncated cone tapered portion 98 (see FIG. 11) of the nozzle body 69 Is concentrated and further pressurized by passing through the bore (50). Water is injected from the bore 50 of the nozzle body 69 in a pressurized and vortexed state to deliver it to the rotor or the upstream end of the spinner 14. [

5-9 illustrate in detail one exemplary configuration for a mixing hub or housing 26. As shown in FIG. 5, the hub 26 has a cylindrical outer wall portion formed at the upstream end by a cylindrical flange portion 64 formed at the downstream end, a cylindrical wall portion 66, and a cylindrical wall portion 68. As shown in Fig. A baffle or bulkhead 84 is provided inside or at the center of the cylindrical wall portion 68 and an upstream end of the baffle 84 extends along a circumferential portion of a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart fluid ports or inlet surfaces 84, Forms a conical inlet surface 86 with a passage 48 provided equidistant from the screw bore 80. [ The toroidal chamber 46 is provided upstream of the bulkhead 84 in the portions 64, 66, 68. Baffle 84 is formed within cylindrical wall portion 68 to provide bore 70 upstream of baffle 84, as shown in FIG. Each of the arrays of fluid ports 48 includes respective radially inwardly extending peripheral slots 72 formed into a flat, downstream outlet surface 88 of the baffle 84 terminating in a common central mixing cavity or chamber 92, Communicate. Flange portion 64 and wall portion 66 are provided upstream of baffle 84 and threaded bore 80 is provided coaxially within cylindrical wall portion 68 at the center of baffle 84.

7, a plurality of ports or fluid passageways 48 are provided in the mixing hub 26 from the threaded bore 80 to the equidistant circumferential array along the perimeter of the baffle 84, And is directed outwardly to each port 48 by a conical inlet surface 86 for the outlet port 48. [ The flange portion 64 provides the outermost periphery of the mixing hub or housing 26.

8 shows hub 26 in a central cross-sectional view with flange portion 64, wall portion 66 and wall portion 68 having increasingly smaller diameters. The water enters the hub 26 from the upstream end and is turned radially outward by the conical inlet surface 86 of the baffle 84 into the port 48 around the screw bore 80. The shoulder 90 is provided downstream of the screw bore 80 so that the bore 80 is expanded in diameter to form a clearance bore. The mixing chamber 92 includes a surface of a rotary mixing chamber having an upstream end of a pivoted spheroid shape.

Figure 9 shows the orientation of the passages in the mixing hub 26 or the array of peripheral slots 72 extending generally radially inwardly to impart mixing and swirling of water within the center mixing cavity 92. Fluid or water enters each peripheral slot 72 at a radially outer end from each fluid passageway or port 48 at the upstream end of the hub 26 adjacent the flange portion 64. Water is delivered into the peripheral slots 72 extending radially inwardly from the respective ports 48 through the baffle 84 and into the central mixing chamber or cavity 92 with a flat outlet face 88 terminating at the downstream end. do. Each of the peripheral slots 72 extends radially inward toward the central mixing cavity 92, extending at an angle relative to the radial direction in either the clockwise or counterclockwise direction. By providing such an angled ramp to the absolute radial direction, an array of radially extending circumferentially spaced peripheral slots 72 can be used to create a fluid vortex in the chamber 92 to impart a coherent whirlpool within the mixing chamber 92, And mixing.

Figs. 10 and 11 show one embodiment of the nozzle body 69. Fig. In particular, the nozzle body 69 includes a back splash proof flange 94 provided on the downstream end and a leading edge chamfer 96 provided on the upstream edge. The water enters the nozzle body 69 at the upstream end which is compressed in the tapered truncated conical portion 98 and accelerated into the cylindrical bore 50 for delivery from the downstream end of the bore 50 .

The assembly details of the bell housing and fluid coupler components for connecting the showerhead assembly 10 of Figures 1-4 are provided in an exploded view in Figures 12 and 13 where the mixing hub and rotor are removed. The bell 16 and the bell retainer 18 are assembled with respective threaded portions 60 and 58 to capture the ball end 20 onto the ball end component 19. The ball end 20 permits angular adjustment of the bell 16 and retainer 18 relative to the ball end mount 22 and associated water supply pipe (not shown) attached in a closed relationship The gasket 62, and the jointed and sealed connection. The ball end component 19 is attached to the water supply pipe (not shown) through the screw 36 of the connector 34 (see Figure 13), the flat surfaces 28 and 30 (see Figure 12) Combine with a wrench. One of a plurality of unique diffuser plates 40 each having a unique opening pattern (see FIG. 13) and a fluid flow velocity is assembled into the connector 34 and seated on the shelf 37. The ball end mount 22 is set apart from the ball end 20 by a circumferential groove 21 (see FIG. 12) extending radially inward.

As shown, except for the gasket 62 in which the components shown in Figures 12 and 13 are formed of an elastic material such as rubber, urethane, or other suitable resilient sealing material, a metal, plastic, Chromium-plated metal or plastic.

13, the gasket 62 is seated in a sealing engagement within a cylindrical gasket seat 76 having an inclined outer circumferential end 77. As shown in Fig. The circumferential groove 65 on the gasket 62 is constructed and assembled to receive the cylindrical flange portion 64 (see Figs. 3 to 4) on the mixing hub 26 in a sealing engagement therebetween. The spherical ball end 20 is slidably and sealingly engaged with the frusto-conical sealing surface 63 on the gasket 62. 3 to 4) received in a cylindrical bore 78 (see Figs. 3-4) within the cylindrical recess 56 of the bell housing 12 Water is delivered from the source through the bore 38 into the reduced diameter bore 44.

Figs. 14 and 15 show details of the rotor housing or megaphone 15. Fig. In particular, the housing 15 is a cylindrical housing having a series of progressively larger cylindrical inner bores 52, 54, 55 extending from the upstream end to the downstream end.

16 to 19 show a detailed view of the rotor body 17 which is pushed into the bore 55 (see Fig. 15) along the conical outer peripheral surface 33, and the inner conical portion 25 has bores 52, (See Figs. 3 to 4). The bore 54 in the assembly provides a circumferential cavity defining the nacelle provided by the bore 54 in a circumferential direction with respect to the conical portion 25, as shown in the assemblies of Figs. , The bore 54 is provided coaxially around the conical portion 25. As shown in Fig. The fluid ejection ports 32 are provided in an array 25 spaced equidistantly in the circumferential direction around the conical portion 25. [ 19, one port 32 extends parallel to the conical portion 25 while the other port 32 is in communication with the rotor body 15 while the rotor body 17 rotates with the rotor housing 15 To provide a variable fluid output angle of water injection from a port (32) of the cone (25). This angle also provides an angled surface, which further rotates the rotor 14 in response to the water being driven under pressure through the angled port 32.

Figure 16 shows the bearing surface bore 23 and Figure 18 shows the transition from the bearing surface bore 23 to the extended clearance bore 27 and the tapered bearing surface 35. The bearing surface bore 23 and the tapered bearing surface 35 allow the rotor 14 to rotate relative to the rotor 14 as it rotates in a non-contact relationship with the nozzle body insert 69 (see Figures 3-4) Cooperates with corresponding surface portions on threaded fasteners 24 (see Figures 3-4) to provide a rotating bearing surface. The extended clearance bore 27 serves to reduce the contact surface area and friction between the rotor 14 and the fastener 24 (see Figs. 3 to 4).

According to one embodiment, the rotor insert body 17 is formed of glass-impregnated nylon. Alternatively, the body 17 is formed of Nylatron, plastic, composite, steel, aluminum, brass, bronze or any other suitable bearing surface and / or structural material. Additionally, optionally, the body 17 may be a plastic or metal material used to form the body 17, with a bearing insert material, such as bronze, provided along the bearing surface bore 23 and the tapered bearing surface 35. Alternatively, The bearing surface inserts may be formed of an innermost bearing surface insert. Nylatron® is a brand name for a family of nylon plastics that is typically filled with molybdenum disulfide lubricant powder and is a brand name of DSM Engineering Plastics, Inc. of Wilmington, Delaware and is a stake in Koninklijke DSM N.V.

, The mixing hub 26 and the rotor housing 15 (see Figures 3-4) are formed of Nylatron®. Optionally, the body 17 is formed of Nylatron, plastic, composite, steel, aluminum, brass, bronze or any other suitable structural material.

20 to 25 show details of another showerhead 210. Fig. 20, the showerhead 210 includes a rotor or spinner (not shown) including an exchangeable exchange rotor insert 217 retained for rotation by a disk-shaped rotor housing 215 and a threaded fastener 224 214). A rotor 214 disposed to provide a particular fluid spray pattern from the rotor 214 while the rotor 214 is rotating relative to the housing provided by the bell 216 and the bell retainer 18 and the ball end mount 22, Is provided with a fluid hole or array (231) of ports (232) in the rotor insert (217). It is understood that the arrays 213 of holes 232 are arranged at different angles and have the same angular arrangement shown for the holes shown in FIG.

21, the rotor 214 of the showerhead 210 has a curved disc shape that complements the shape of the bell 216 and the bell retainer 18 eggs. During operation, the rotor housing 215 and the rotor insert 217 are fixed together in a press fit state and rotate in response to the fluid flow imparted to the rotor 214. Optionally, the rotor housing and rotor insert may be manufactured as a single part using, for example, three-dimensional printing of the part. The disk-shaped geometry of the rotor 214 also imparts a rotational inertia moment to the rotor 214 which imparts a predetermined rotational characteristic to the rotor 214. The ball end mount 22 is threadably engaged in sealing engagement with a water supply pipe (not shown) using two flat tool surfaces 28, 30 and a wrench (not shown), and the ball end fitting 20 Enabling pivoting of the bell retainer 18 and bell 216 relative to the mount 22.

Figure 22 is a centerline cross-sectional view of the showerhead 210 showing how the rotor 214 conformally completes the oval, elliptical, or rectangular sphere of the housing provided by the bell 216 and the bell retainer 18. In particular, the rotor 214 is sized very close to the end opening of the bell 216 to prevent contact between the rotor housing 215 and the bell 216. The rotor 214 is retained by a rotor insert or hub 217 through a threaded concave hexagonal head fastener 224 screwed into the complementary threaded bore of the hub 26. The insert 217 has an outer diameter that is urged by interference fit within the cylindrical bore 255 in the rotor housing 215. The rotor 215 is maintained in the axial direction by the enlarged head of the fastener 224 in a spaced apart relationship from the nozzle body 269 by press fit within the wall portion 68 of the mixing hub 26 .

22, the tapered stem on the rotor insert 217 extends concentrically within the mixing chamber of the bore 254, the bore 252, the tapered conical portion 298 and the hub 26. The flow restrictor or flow restrictor plug 240 is also centered within the bore 238 of the ball end mount 22. Optionally, the plug 240 may be seated in an offset position within the bore provided within the ball end mount 22 and provided at the center of the mount 22. A plurality of flow ports 242 flow through the plug 240 to the downstream cylindrical chamber 280 (see FIG. 25).

In addition to using the appropriate materials listed above to construct the rotor insert 17 (FIG. 17), the rotor insert 217 may be comprised of Ultra-Wear-Resistant PTFE-Filled Delrin® acetal resin. The addition of PTFE to Delrin® acetal resin provides a smoother, more abrasion-resistant surface for this waterproof material. These materials are also known as Delrin® acetal resin AF and are sold and marketed by McMaster-Carr, 9630 Nordwald Road, Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670-2932.

23 and 24, the restrictor plug 240 includes a common or central chamber 288 (also shown in FIG. 23) formed by the cylindrical wall portion, the bore 280 and the upper truncated conical chamber head 282 from the upstream end 25) of the fluid flow ports 242. The fluid flow ports 242 are arranged in the circumferential direction. 24 and 25, the restrictor plug 240 has an enlarged cylindrical outer wall portion 281 and a reduced diameter cylindrical outer wall portion 286 of reduced diameter. Circumferential shoulder 284 is formed at the transition point between wall portions 281 and 286 as shown in Fig. The wall portion 286 is dimensioned to be received in a force-fitting assembly within the bore 244 (see FIG. 22).

The holes 232 in FIGS. 20 and 22 receive a supply of accelerating and rotating fluid from the mixing hub 26 through the cylindrical bores 252 and 254. A whirlpool of accelerated and rotating water impinges on the inlet end of each hole 232 serving as a rotating turbine blade and drive rotor 214. Additionally, the angled injection of fluid from hole 232 drives rotor 214 to rotate. Impaction of water at an angle to the inlet end of each hole on the various rotors disclosed herein imparts rupture, diffusion, dispersion and segmentation of the flow of water from each hole. It is also understood that hole 232 (and all other holes disclosed herein) is generally larger than conventional holes on the showerhead. This feature generally produces larger droplets than a much smaller droplet produced by a conventional showerhead having a larger number of small holes or exit holes.

In order to work well in the low pressure water supply line, the showerhead uses only nine relatively large exit holes compared to a typical showerhead with a much larger number of outlet holes, despite being substantially smaller in size. The provided nine exit holes 232 of Figures 20 and 22 rotate through the spinner 214 which spreads water more evenly when it is ejected from the rotor or rotor 214. Larger sized holes tend to disperse larger water droplets than small holes. Larger water droplets cool less quickly than smaller water droplets, thus providing a warmer shower (for a given hot water supply). In addition, a large number of small holes tend to generate steam and fog in the bathrooms, while large drops from the spinner tend to reduce this effect, thus minimizing the generation of steam and fog. Finally, larger holes are less likely to be clogged by calcium and hard water generation.

During operation, the showerhead 210 of FIGS. 20-22 generates a massage output spray of water. The five consecutive holes have a common slope or angle with respect to the outlet face of the rotor 214, and the remaining four holes have progressively smaller angular (or zero angle) holes. The five holes with a common angle form a conical spray pattern and the small angled holes aim at the fluid exit flow within the conical spray pattern to give the impression of a massage spray as the rotor 214 rotates. These conical spray patterns generally have a smaller angle than that produced by a conventional showerhead to reduce the use of water. The massage toward the center of the pattern is imparted by blocking of the holes forming the cone spray pattern.

Although the showerhead is shown here as a flow restriction device, it is understood that such a device can be removed and the showerhead still operable. Additionally, or alternatively, the water supply may be limited at the source to reduce the flow rate, thereby saving water use while maintaining the vigorous dispersion of water droplets suitable for showering.

Figs. 26-29 illustrate alternative rotor inserts 1217 for the showerhead of Figs. 20-22. In particular, as shown in the top end view, the rotor insert 1217 has an array of angled holes or fluid ports 1232 that progressively change, similar to the array of rotor inserts 217 (of FIG. 22). However, additional non-circular cross-section or rectangular holes 1233 are also provided to impart fluid distribution within the fluid outlet conical portion produced by the fluid ejected by the remaining holes 1232. [ Hole 1233 on rotor insert 1217 thus fills the inner spray area left un-filled by fluid only ejected from hole 1232. [ The circumferential outer surface 1230 is received in an assembly within the cylindrical bore 255 of the showerhead 210 (see FIG. 22) of the alternate assembly.

27, the rotor insert or hub 1217 has a reduced inner diameter bore that forms a bearing surface with a fastener 224 (see FIG. 22) with reduced surface area and frictional contact. The other contact is formed where the head of the fastener 224 contacts the rotor insert 1217 along the frustoconical taper 1235 (see FIG. 28). 27 and 28, the rotor insert 1217 includes a gradually increasing set of staged bore segments 1223, 1224 and 1234 that end at the opposite end from the bore segment 1223 at the frustoconical taper 1235, 1227). The peripheral outer surface on hub 1217 defines a frusto conical or tapered outer surface 1225 that is perforated at its widest portion adjacent the circumferential outer surface 1230 enlarged by individual holes 1233. 27A and 27B show the details of the fastener 224. As shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, the holes 1232 do not penetrate the surface 1225 but are formed only in the expanded circumferential outer surface 1230 instead.

27A has a reduced diameter portion 221 sized to form a distal bearing surface with a bore 1223 on the rotor 1217 (or rotor 217 in FIG. 22) of FIG. 27 . The portion 221 has a distal threaded end 80 formed in the portion 221 that is threaded into the assembled state (see FIG. 22) within the complementary threaded arm bore of the hub 26. The increased diameter portion 223 is received within the complementary bore 1227 of the rotor 1217 (or the rotor 217 of FIG. 22). The highly polished shoulder 227 on the fastener head 225 of the fastener 224 provides a bearing surface for the rotor 1217 of FIG. 27 (or the rotor 217 of FIG. 22). Finally, FIG. 27B shows the fastener 224 with one suitable hexagonal head fastener head 225. Other types of fasteners may optionally be used.

Figures 30 and 31 illustrate another optional rotor for the showerhead of Figure 2; In particular, the rotor insert 2217 may replace the rotor 217 of the showerhead assembly 210 of FIGS. 20-22. 30, the rotor insert 2217 has a circumferential array of fluid holes or ports 2233, 2235, 2237, and 2239 provided with an area defined by the circumferential tool surface 1230. As shown in FIG. The holes 2233, 2235, and 2237 are oriented in a direction perpendicular to the radial direction. The hole 2233 has an angle larger than the hole 2235 and the hole 2235 has an angle larger than the hole 2237. The hole 2239 has no angle and extends in the axial direction. In operation, the fluid ejected from the hole 2237 is designed to intersect the fluid ejected from the hole 2239, causing the fluid to be distributed laterally of the impact area, including the radially inward direction. In this way, the fluid is delivered in the central region where fluid is only delivered by direction outputs from the individual holes 2233, 2235, 2237 and 2239.

32 is a schematic diagram showing the water flow outlet path from each port on the spinner of Figs. 30 and 31; Fig. This water flow outlet path takes into account the effect of centrifugal force on each water flow outlet path. Each water flow outlet path is numbered with each hole from which it originates and indicates how the water flow exit passage from holes 2237 and 2239 intersects after leaving the rotor insert 2217 of the showerhead. Conversely, the water flow exit path from holes 2233 and 2235 does not coincide with any other exit path, but defines a distinct angular path.

Figure 33 shows a rotor or spinner 314 having an array 331 of fluid outlet openings 332 and fluid to deflect fluid from some of the apertures 332 to cause fluid to be delivered in the flow path generated only by the apertures 332 Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > 310 < / RTI > with an arcuate inwardly extending fluid deflection finger 337 configured. The fingers 337 are formed integrally with the rotor housing 315. The rotor 34 is attached to the mixing hub 26 via a threaded fastener 24 in a manner similar to the previous embodiments. The showerhead 310 also includes a ball end 16 having a surface 28 and a ball end mount 22 having a tool surface such as a housing 12 and a bell retainer 18, And a common component.

34-36 illustrate a rotor housing 315 that includes an arcuate inwardly extending fluid deflecting finger 337. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 36, cylindrical bore 355 is sized to press fit a rotor insert, such as rotor insert 217 (of FIG. 22). Cylindrical bores 352 and 354 are similar to bores 252 and 254 (of FIG. 22) and serve to deliver fluid or water to the holes in the rotor insert.

37 is a perspective view showing another showerhead 410 having a spinner 414 or a rotor having an array 431 of fluid dispersion grooves or slits 432 at its upstream end. The spinner 414 is retained by the mixing hub 26 to rotate the hub 26 through the threaded fastener 424. Fluid is ejected from hub 26 in a clockwise or counterclockwise rotational direction (in accordance with the asymmetric direction provided to hub 26) and ejected from groove 432 arranged to impart rotation to spinner 414, Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > 414 < / RTI > The sprayed rotating fluid, or spray, impinges on an internal frustoconical surface 456 that further distributes and dispenses the fluid spray from the showerhead 410. The housing 412 of the showerhead 410 includes a bell retainer 18 having a circumferential array of equally spaced flutes 417 provided on its outer surface and a bell retainer 416). The housing 412 is pivotally attached to the ball end mount 22 and the flute 417 is used to grip the housing 412 to rotate the angled position relative to the ball 20 on the ball end mount 22. [ . The flat tool surfaces 28 and 30 help to screw the mounting portion 22 onto the threaded pipe end (not shown). The downstream end of the rotor 414 slightly protrudes from the housing 412 together with the screw fastener 424.

Fig. 39 shows the showerhead 410 in a centerline sectional view. More specifically, the water flows from the water supply line in the shower into the ball end mount 422, into the cylindrical bore 438, through the diffuser hole 242 or through the flow restrictor plug 240 from the plug 240 Into the toroidal chamber 46 through the radially inwardly extending passageway 72 into the centrally located common mixing chamber 92 into the tapered frustoconical portion 98 and to the water under pressure The vortex is transmitted into a cylindrical bore 50 that is injected in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction (based on the angled bias of the passageway 72). The ejected swirling water impinges on the toroidal segment surface 452 under pressure to rotate like a whirlpool, causing the rotor 414 to rotate. Grooves or passageways 432 may be defined by an exhaust path for such fluid that imparts additional force to rotor 414 to induce injection and rotation of fluid from rotor 414 to the truncated conical surface 456 of bell 416. [ Lt; / RTI > The upstream end of the rotor 414, indicated by surface 452, is located at the downstream end of the nozzle body 68 when it is received in a press fit relationship within the bore 70 defining the wall portion 68 of the mixing hub 26. [ As shown in Fig.

39 and 42, the rotor 414 includes a reduced diameter bearing surface bore 423 that engages to rotate about the shaft and head portion of the threaded fastener 424 and a frusto-conical bearing surface recess < RTI ID = 0.0 > (See Fig. 39). The male threaded end 82 of the fastener 424 is received in a threaded engagement within the complementary female threaded portion 80 of the hub 26. The ball 420 maintains the bell 416 in a movable relationship relative to the flexible rubber gasket 62 through the cylindrical flange 74 on the bell retainer 18 during sealing. The flange 64 on the hub 26 seats against the shoulder on the bell 416 and the cylindrical wall portion 66 is assembled and received within the complementary bore 78 of the bell 416. The gasket 62 is received in the cylindrical bore 76 in the bell 416 and the bell 416 is engaged with the female threaded portion 58 of the bell retainer 18 via the male threaded portion 60. Finally, the mount 422 is screwed or crimped through the female threaded portion 36 using a wrench to form a longitudinal groove 421 formed in the cylindrical outer surface of the mount 422 at the shower waterline outlet (not shown) (Not shown) on each of the number of threaded ends of the water supply pipe. Optionally, the mount 422 may have any of a number of different connection interfaces, such as a male threaded portion, a quick disconnect, or any other suitable structure for securing the showerhead in sealing relation with the water supply line.

40 shows the upstream end of the showerhead rotor 414 for the showerhead assembly of Figs. 37-39. More specifically, a radial array or fluid passageway 432 of the slit is provided circumferentially spaced about a central cylindrical bearing surface or bore 423 to provide a hole 427 for receiving the fastener 424 (See Fig. 39). As shown in Figures 40-42, the slit 432 on rotor 414 extends radially outwardly and equally spaced about toroidal segment surface 452. Alternatively, the slit 432 may extend at one or more angles from the radial direction and / or the slit 432 may be non-uniformly spaced about the surface 452. 42, the bore 427 is enlarged relative to the bore 423 to reduce the contact surface area with the fastener 424 (see FIG. 39) during assembly, Reduce contact friction between them and improve rotation under flow conditions determined by effort to save.

Figure 43 shows an optional showerhead rotor 514 similar to the rotor 414 shown in Figure 40 for use in the showerhead assembly of Figures 37-39 from the upstream end. More specifically, the rotor 514 has a donut-shaped cavity 552 with a slit-free toroidal segment surface or crevice, as shown in Figures 43 and 45. [ The output of the pressurized swirling water impinges on the surface 552 to impart motion to the rotor or fluid dispersion body 514 where the force is transmitted to the surface 523 and 535 by a fastener 424 Overcome frictional forces. In other cases, the rotor 514 does not rotate, but instead acts as a fluid distribution surface. The hole 527 has an enlarged bore portion 527 (see FIG. 39) that serves to reduce the contact surface area of the surface 523 between the rotor 514 and the fastener 424.

Figs. 46-59 illustrate another showerhead 510 that emits sprayed water that is rotated from the showerhead 510 through a diverging conical or expansion nozzle 514 through a divergent conical exit port 532. Figs. The details of the showerhead 510 are similar to those of Figures 1 to 19 except that the rotor 14 is removed and the mixing hub 526 is essentially the same as the mixing hub 26 It is similar to a shower head. The water is directed to the mass of the whirlpool or rapidly rotating water rotating through the borehole partition or baffle provided in the housing of the mixing hub 526, as shown in Figures 46 and 46A. The housing 12 and the ball end fitting 22 of the showerhead 510 are shown in Figures 1-3 with the bell 16, the bell retainer 18 and the flat tool surfaces 28 and 30 End fitting 12 and the ball end fitting 22 of the first embodiment.

As shown in Fig. 46A, the expansion nozzle or conical portion 514 is formed integrally with the cylindrical nozzle body 569. Fig. The body 569 is press-fitted into the wall portion 568 of the mixing hub 526 (see FIG. 48). Similar to the mixing hub 26 (of FIGS. 1-3), the mixing hub 526 has a cylindrical flange portion 564 and an increased diameter cylindrical wall portion 566. As shown in the side view of Figure 47, the expansion nozzle 54 extends beyond the housing 12, like the ball 20, at the opposite end.

Figure 48 shows the showerhead 510 in a centerline sectional view. The expansion nozzle 514 is formed integrally with the diverging conical portion 515 and the cylindrical nozzle body 569 and is provided centrally within the cylindrical bore 56. [ The internal truncated conical surface 532 of the conical portion 515 includes a threaded bore 36, a diffuser plate 40, cylindrical bores 38 and 44, a toroidal chamber 46, a peripheral port 548, A passageway 572, and a common mixing chamber 592 through the passageway. The mixing hub 526 serves to mix and swirl the fluid within the chamber 592 as a result of the radially angled orientation of the peripheral passageway 572 (see FIG. 50). The ball end fitting 20 on the ball end mount 22 is attached by thread 34 to the threaded end of a water supply line (not shown), and the bell 16 and bell retainer 18 are attached to the ball 20, In a sealably pivotable, repositionable engagement with the rubber gasket 62 at the cylindrical gasket seat 76. The flange portion 564 of the hub 526 seats with the bell 16 and is sealed against the gasket 62 during assembly. The outer diameter of the nozzle body 569 is pressed into the press-fit assembly within the cylindrical bore 570 of the hub 526.

49 to 53, the mixing hub 526 is connected to a line pressure (not shown) from the upstream end (see Figs. 49 and 51) to the downstream end (see Figs. 50 and 53) through the fluid port or passage 548, Lt; / RTI > More specifically, the fluid passes under the line pressure from the upstream end to the circumferentially radially inwardly directed peripheral fluid passageway 572 (see FIGS. 50 and 53) through the axially extending fluid port 548. It is understood that hub 526 omits bore 80 provided in hub 26 (of FIG. 3), but one alternative structure includes such hole and hub 262 is used instead of hub 526 do. In this case, the fastener 24 is omitted, and the water simply passes through the hole 80. In addition, the showerhead 910 of Fig. 63 may optionally omit holes in the hub. Fluid passageways 572 as viewed from the downstream end, as shown in Figs. 50 and 53, cause clockwise vortices of fluid from passageway 572 in mixing cavity or chamber 592 (see Figs. 50 and 53) Thereby inducing mixing. Alternatively, the passageway 572 may be oriented to induce a vortex in a counterclockwise direction. Also, optionally, some or all passages 572 may be configured to extend only radially inward.

49 and 51, the ports 548 extend axially through a cylindrical baffle 584 and are equally spaced circumferentially equally in a cylindrical array about the outer circumferential surface of the baffle 584. As shown in Figures 51 and 52, the baffle 584 has a conical upstream inlet surface as well as a flat exit surface 588 (see Figures 50 and 53). The mixing chamber 592 is provided radially inward of the surface 584 as shown in Figs. The flange portion 564, the wall portion 566 and the wall portion 568 define an interior region within the hub 526 divided by the baffle 584 as the upstream and downstream ends . 52 shows an upstream end surrounded by the upstream portion of the flange portion 564, the wall portion 566 and the wall portion 568 and defined by the conical inlet surface 586 of the baffle 584, and the downstream end And is surrounded by a downstream portion of the wall portion 568. The fluid axially enters the peripheral port 548 and then rotates generally radially inward along the peripheral passageway 572. The cylindrical bore 570 according to one structure is sized to receive the outer diameter surface of the nozzle body 569 (see Fig. 54) in a press fit manner.

54 and 55 illustrate a single structure of an expansion nozzle 514 including a cylindrical nozzle body portion 569 integrally formed with the diverging conical portion 515. As shown in Fig. The cylindrical bore 550 of the nozzle 514 also has a flare expansion outlet 551 and a flared compression inlet 553. The flare expansion outlet 551 has a flared compression inlet 553, The water is sprayed at a rate from the mixing hub 526 under pressure to induce swirling. This injected eddy fluid expands through the bore 550 and is directed through the frusto-conical inner surface 532 of the diverging conical portion 515.

Figures 56-57 illustrate optional nozzles 614 for the showerhead of Figures 46-48 where the disturbance or obstruction 633 is provided on the inner conical surface 632 of the diverging conical nozzle 615 . The cylindrical nozzle body portion 669 is received in a press fit assembly within the bore 570 of the wall portion 568 on the hub 526 (see FIG. 48). The interference portion 633 includes a semi-cylindrical groove formed in the surface 632. Alternatively, other types of concave or convex structures may be provided to block the flow of swirling fluid that is ejected from the bore 650 through a conical surface 632, such as a spline, rib or even an angled groove or ridge. Such an obstruction serves to dissolve and disperse further the swirling and ejecting fluid as it expands and exits the conical surface 632.

58-59 illustrate a second optional nozzle 714 for the showerhead of Figs. 46-48 with diverging conical nozzle 715 having converging segment 750 upstream of diverging conical portion 732. Fig. The cylindrical nozzle body portion 769 is received in a press fit assembly within the bore 570 of the wall portion 568 on the hub 526 (see FIG. 48). 59, the circumferential lip edge 751 provides a sharp transition from the converging segment 750 and the divergent conical portion 732. As shown in FIG. The edge 751 provides a constriction that serves to accelerate fluid flow past an edge 751 that expands downstream into an at least partially converging conical portion 732.

FIG. 60 is a cross-sectional view of a waxman model number UPC 28905765107 sold by the embodiments of FIGS. 1-9, 46-48 and exemplary exemplary prior art showerheads, Waxman, 24460 Aurora Road, Bedford Heights, OH 44146, A table of test results detailing the water line pressure and flow rate for the 7651000T.

Figure 61 is a table of test results detailing the water line pressure and flow rate for the embodiments of Figures 1 to 19 and 46 to 48, including three uniquely different flow restrictor plates.

62 is a perspective view showing a kitchen sink 892 having a nipple 890 with a spray head 810 that is similar to the showerhead shown in the embodiment of Figs. In particular, the spray head 810 is shown in greater detail as an enlarged insertion circle having a portion in common with the showerhead 210 (of FIGS. 20-22). For example, ball end 20, ball end mount 22, flow restrictor plug 240, bell 816, bell retainer 18, wall portion 68, nozzle body 869 and rotor 814 Are configured in a manner similar to the corresponding portions on the showerhead 210 (of FIGS. 20-22).

63 is a side view showing a kitchen sink 992 having another nipple 990 with a spray head 910 having a straight nozzle body insert 950. Fig. More specifically, the nozzle body insert 950 is press fit through the cylindrical nozzle body 969 in the complementary bore of the cylindrical wall portion 68 and is shown as an enlarged insertion circle. The flow restrictor plug 240, the bell 916, the bell retainer 18, the wall portion 68 and the nozzle body 969 are similar to the corresponding portions on the showerhead 210 (of Figures 20-22) . The bore 950 includes a cylindrical bore that receives swirling water from the wall portion 68 of the mixing hub under pressure.

As shown herein, the showerhead and showerhead components shown in Figs. 1-63 are shown in Figs. 2 to 4, 7 to 15, 17 to 19, 21 to 32, 34 As shown in Fig. 36 to Fig. 36 to Fig. 39 to Fig. 41 to Fig. 42 to Fig. 44 to Fig. 45 to Fig. 47 to Fig. 48 to Fig. 51 to Fig. It is to be understood that the present invention has been detailed using an engineering drawing having a 1: 1 scale. It is also understood that the various components are interchangeable between the embodiments.

Optionally, other structures are understood.

The above-described showerhead may further include a coupler communicating with the main body and connected to the water supply pipe. In one case, the showerhead has peripheral slots extending radially inwardly and forms an array of circumferentially spaced peripheral slots extending substantially radially. In a particular case, the first of the at least one peripheral slots extends at a constant angle in a clockwise direction and the second of the at least one peripheral slots extends at an angle in a counterclockwise direction to provide turbulence and mixing in the mixing cavity to provide. In some cases, the housing includes a generally radially extending spider arm array, with each adjacent pair of each being separated by one of the peripheral ports and one of the peripheral slots to provide a perforated partition. In some cases, the housing includes a tubular body. In some cases, the tubular body has a cavity provided at the downstream end. In some cases, the cavity includes a cylindrical bore. The nozzle body has an outer surface dimensioned to fit into the interference fit in the cavity. Also in some cases, the tubular body further includes an inwardly extending lip edge formed on the downstream edge of the cavity sized to rest on the nozzle body received within the cavity upon assembly. In some cases, the nozzle body is sized to be received within the cavity with its own retaining pit-up. Also, in some cases, the through passage includes a hole. In particular, in some cases, the through passage includes an axial cylindrical bore. In some cases, the through passage includes a plurality of grooves provided along the inner wall portion. In some cases, the passageway includes a conical wall portion having a plurality of ridges / grooves blocking the wall portion. Also in some cases, the nozzle body includes a cylindrical base and an expanding outlet. In some cases, the expanding outlet portion includes a diverging conical chamber. In some cases, the nozzle body includes an expansion chamber. Also in some cases, the nozzle body includes a compression chamber. In some cases, the center support post includes a elongated fastener having a retaining head configured to retain the rotor for rotation about a central shaft of the fastener. In some cases, the elongated fastener has a threaded end, and the baffle includes a complementary threaded hole sized to accommodate the threaded end. In some cases, the rotor includes an outer housing and a central insert portion, and at least one fluid injection port is provided by at least one of an outer housing and a central insert portion. In some cases, the central insert portion is coaxially mounted within the expansion chamber of the outer housing. In some cases, the rotor includes a radially outwardly extending groove provided in the truncated conical feed cavity adjacent the distal end of the rotor that operates to suppress backslash of the fluid between the rotor and the nozzle body. In some cases, the nozzle body includes a columnar back splash lip extending from the distal end of the nozzle body in a superposed relationship with the rotor. In some cases, at least one of the fluid ejection ports may be angled in a direction perpendicular to the radial direction of the rotor.

A showerhead having a housing, a baffle and a nozzle body is provided. The housing has a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The baffle is provided in a housing between an inlet and an outlet having one or more fluid passages extending into the baffle and communicating with the fluid inlet. At least one passage is configured to communicate with a fluid passage extending radially inwardly in communication with the mixing cavity at the outlet end. The nozzle body is held by a housing provided downstream of the mixing chamber, the upstream end having a compression stage and the downstream end having a fluid outlet in fluid communication with the upstream end. In one embodiment, the showerhead comprises a rotatable fluid ejection rotor supported proximally and downstream of the nozzle body fluid outlet and having at least one fluid ejection port in a non-contact manner. , The showerhead includes a coupler communicating with the body and adapted to be connected to the water supply pipe. In some cases, the central mixing chamber is formed with a rotating surface. Also in some cases, the central mixing chamber is the end of a circularly shaped spheroid. In some cases, the nozzle body includes a tubular body having a fluid passageway. In another particular case, the through passage includes a cylindrical bore. In some cases, the through passage further includes a truncated conical compression nozzle provided upstream of the cylindrical bore. In some cases, the through passage includes a cylindrical bell-shaped expansion nozzle. In other cases, the passageway includes a diametrically reduced segment provided upstream of the expansion nozzle. In some cases, the passageway includes an array of circumferentially spaced inner surface perturbations that are formed in a direction that diverges axially along the downstream end of the expansion nozzle. In some cases, the housing has a bore at its downstream end, and the nozzle body has a complementary outer wall of a size that can be received upon assembly in a captured relationship within the downstream bore. In one case, the showerhead is held for rotation in the exit chamber downstream of the nozzle by the central support post in a non-contacting relationship proximate to the nozzle and a central support post held by the baffle at the center of the exit chamber Further comprising a rotor. In some cases, the rotor has at least one fluid ejection port provided at the distal end, an annular cavity in communication with a port upstream of the port, and a frusto-conical feed cavity in communication with the nozzle body and the annular cavity, - Provided in a contact relationship. In some cases, the baffle includes a convex center hub extending from the upstream surface of the baffle. In another specific case, the rotor includes an annular inlet provided at an upstream end that leads to at least one outlet in fluid communication at the downstream end. In some cases, the nozzle includes a cylindrical back splash protection tube end extending from the downstream end of the nozzle within the annular inlet of the rotor. In some other cases, the housing includes a hub having a cylindrical body having an inlet end and an outlet end, and a radially outwardly extending flange provided along the inlet end. In some cases, the housing includes a bell housing having a bore in which the hub is received, a resilient circumferential washer of a size sized to enclose the bell in the bell housing upstream from the bore and cover the flange of the hub in the assembly to seal the hub within the bell housing, . In this housing, the showerhead communicates with the bell housing formed at the upstream end for connection to the water supply pipe, and has a ball end at the downstream end formed to be seated in a rotatable sealing relationship with the cylindrical housing inside the bell housing, As shown in FIG. In some cases, the rotor has a diameter partial bore extending along both the partial bore, the middle portion and the downstream end of a predetermined diameter along the upstream end and a tapered end bore along the downstream end, the central post having a tapered end bore Wherein the rotor has an enlarged head at its downstream end with a complementary tapered flare head such that the rotor forms a rotating bearing surface with the central post only along a predetermined diameter bore and the tapered end bore and rotor are further contacted State. In some cases, the rotor includes a frusto-conical feed cavity provided along the proximal end of the rotor and a fluid ejection port provided at the distal end of the rotor and in communication with the feed cavity. In other cases, the rotor includes a radially outwardly extending circumferential groove provided in the truncated conical feed cavity in the vicinity of the distal end of the rotor in communication with the feed cavity to prevent back splashing of fluid between the rotor and the nozzle body. In some cases, the nozzle body includes a columnar back splash lip extending from the distal end of the nozzle body in a superposed relationship with the rotor. In other cases, the rotor includes a plurality of fluid ejection ports circumferentially distributed about the distal end of the rotor, and the fluid ejection ports extend in the axial direction. In some cases, the fluid ejection port extends radially. In other cases, at least one of the fluid ejection ports extends in tangential and axial directions. In some cases, at least one of the fluid ejection ports extends further in the radial direction. In other cases, the rotor includes an insert portion retained in a housing defining an outer housing and a frusto-conical feed cavity.

A showerhead fluid concentrator is provided that includes a housing and a baffle. The housing has a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The baffle is provided in the housing between the inlet and the outlet and has at least one peripheral fluid passage extending from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet. At least one peripheral fluid passageway terminates inwardly at the downstream end to communicate with the mixing cavity. , The mixing chamber is located at the center of the housing. In some cases, the at least one peripheral fluid passage may include a plurality of fluid holes configured to extend generally radially inwardly offset from the direct radial path to provide one of clockwise and counterclockwise fluid motion within the mixing chamber . In some cases, the at least one peripheral fluid passage includes a plurality of fluid holes configured to extend radially inwardly only along a direct radial path to provide impingement mixing within the mixing chamber. In some cases, the at least one peripheral fluid passage includes a plurality of fluid holes, and at least some of the plurality of fluid holes are configured to extend generally radially inwardly offset from the direct radial path. The showerhead comprises a central support post held by the baffle through the flow concentrating outlet at the center of the outlet chamber and a central support post which is rotated by the post downstream of the nozzle body having at least one fluid ejection port provided at the distal end, Wherein the annular cavity communicates with at least one port upstream of the at least one port, the frusto-conically shaped supply cavity communicates with the nozzle body and the annular cavity, and the rotor is spaced apart from the nozzle body, Contact relationship. In some cases, the housing includes a cylindrical body having a surface of the rotary mixing chamber. In some cases, at least one of the peripheral slots extends radially inward. In some cases, the peripheral slots extend radially and form an array of circumferentially spaced peripheral slots. In some cases, at least one peripheral fluid passageway includes a plurality of fluid holes, all of at least one of the peripheral slots extending at an angle relative to a radially inward direction in one of the clockwise and counterclockwise directions, Thereby giving a consistent whirlpool within.

Depending on how the water is dispersed, each of the plurality of ports is provided along the periphery of the baffle, spaced from the central portion of the baffle. , The mixing step includes directing water from each of the plurality of ports along the radially inward direction to impinge and mix water in the mixing chamber.

Claims (25)

In the shower head,
A housing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet;
A perforate partition provided in a housing between an inlet and an outlet having at least one peripheral fluid passageway in communication with the fluid inlet, each peripheral fluid passageway communicating with a peripheral slot extending inwardly from a downstream end thereof, The slot communicating with the mixing cavity at the downstream end; And
And a nozzle body held by the housing downstream of the mixing cavity having a compression port at an upstream end and an outlet port at a downstream end in fluid communication with the compression port. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the at least one peripheral fluid passageway is provided by a plurality of peripheral ports. 3. The method of claim 2,
Further comprising a rotor held rotatable by the post downstream of the nozzle body having a central support post held by the baffle through a compression port at the center of the outlet port and at least one fluid injection port provided at the distal end, An annular cavity communicates with the at least one port upstream of at least one port and a truncated conical supply cavity communicates with the nozzle body and the annular cavity and the rotor is provided in a non- The shower head. The method of claim 3,
Wherein the housing comprises a cylindrical body having a surface of a rotating mixing cavity. 5. The method of claim 4,
Wherein the mixing cavity comprises an end of a circular rotating spheroid. 5. The method of claim 4,
Wherein at least one of said peripheral slots extends radially inwardly. 5. The method of claim 4,
Wherein at least one of the peripheral slots extends at an angle with respect to a radially inward direction. 8. The method of claim 7,
Wherein at least one of said peripheral slots extends at an angle either clockwise or counterclockwise to impart a coherent whirlpool in the mixing cavity. 5. The method of claim 4,
Wherein the peripheral slots form an array of peripheral slots extending inwardly and angularly offset from the radial direction and circumferentially spaced apart. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the nozzle body comprises a tubular member having a through passage. 11. The method of claim 10,
Wherein the through passageway comprises an axial bore. 11. The method of claim 10,
Wherein the through passageway comprises a diverging hollow portion. 11. The method of claim 10,
Wherein at least a portion of the through passage is conical. 11. The method of claim 10,
Wherein the through passage includes a smooth inner wall portion. The method of claim 3,
Wherein the rotor comprises a columnar array of fluid ejection ports. 16. The method of claim 15,
Wherein all of the fluid ejection ports extend only in one of an axial direction and a radial direction. The method of claim 3,
Wherein the rotor includes an outer nacelle and an inner conical portion coaxially supported within the nacelle. 18. The method of claim 17,
Wherein a columnar cavity is provided between the nacelle and the conical portion. 19. The method of claim 18,
Wherein a portion of the cavity comprises a compression zone. 19. The showerhead of claim 18, wherein a portion of the cavity comprises an inflation zone. In a method for dispersing water,
Providing a housing having a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and a baffle, the baffle communicating with the inlet and communicating with a peripheral passage extending through the baffle from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet and extending into at least one interior, The fluid being provided in a housing between an inlet and an outlet having at least one peripheral fluid passage terminating in a nozzle body downstream of the cavity;
Transferring a source of water under pressure to the fluid inlet;
Dispersing water into at least one inwardly extending peripheral passage through at least one peripheral fluid passage;
Mixing water in the mixing cavity;
Compressing the mixed water through the upstream portion of the nozzle body and injecting the mixed water from the nozzle body through the fluid outlet. 22. The method of claim 21,
Wherein the at least one peripheral fluid passageway is provided by a plurality of peripheral ports and each peripheral port communicates with a respective inwardly extending peripheral passageway at a downstream end and mixing is performed by the plurality of inwardly extending peripheral passageways And recombining the fluids from each of the fluids. 23. The method of claim 22,
Wherein said mixing includes swirling water from each of said plurality of ports in one of a clockwise and a counterclockwise direction. 22. The method of claim 21,
Further comprising the step of providing a fluid discharge rotor downstream of the nozzle body, wherein the method further comprises the step of spraying the water and then impinging the water against the nozzle body to disperse the impinging water from the rotor How, one. 25. The method of claim 24,
Wherein the rotor includes a fluid discharge port, the mixing step further comprising swirling the water in one of a clockwise and a counterclockwise direction, and spraying the swirling water from the nozzle, Further comprising driving the rotor in a corresponding one of a clockwise and a counterclockwise direction in response to the colliding and swirling water.

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