US20130152295A1

US20130152295A1 - Adjustable water jet device

Info

Publication number: US20130152295A1
Application number: US13/715,871
Authority: US
Inventors: Hongchang Huang
Original assignee: Shanghai Kohler Electronics Ltd
Current assignee: Shanghai Kohler Electronics Ltd
Priority date: 2011-12-15
Filing date: 2012-12-14
Publication date: 2013-06-20

Abstract

An adjustable water jet device includes a drive motor configured to rotate in one or more directions and configured to drive a rotary disk, a rotary disk coupled to the drive motor and configured to rotate, and a joint pipe having an arc shape and configured to extend and retract. The adjustable water jet device also includes a water nozzle coupled to the joint pipe, a fixing rack having a rotary disk portion coupled to the rotary disk and a joint pipe portion coupled to the joint pipe, the fixing rack configured to extend and retract, and a conductive flexible steel strip having two ends, a first end coupled to the rotary disk, a second end coupled to the joint pipe, the conductive flexible steel strip configured to extend or retract the joint pipe. The joint pipe can extend or retract the fixing rack under the control of the steel strip.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of and priority to Chinese Patent Application 201110421459.5, filed Dec. 15, 2011, and Chinese Patent Application 201120527641.4, filed Dec. 15, 2011, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to sanitary and bath products (e.g., bidet toilets, toilet bidets, etc.), and particularly to an adjustable water jet device for sanitary and bath products.
2. Background of the Invention
Water jet devices (i.e. a device having a nozzle for spraying liquid) in sanitary and bath products are often used to spray water and to clean parts of the body. Water jet devices may be connected to bidets or intelligent toilets (i.e. having a bidet feature).
Conventional water jet devices typically have multiple linear joint pipes and a water nozzle arranged at the most distal joint pipe. The mounting space for water jet devices in toilets is limited, so multiple linear joint pipes configured to retract and expand are often utilized. However, the conventional multiple joint pipes typically can only extend or retract along a linear direction, and it may be difficult to reach an ideal cleaning position after the joint pipes are extended.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the present disclosure relates to an adjustable water jet device. The water jet device includes a drive motor configured to rotate in one or more directions and configured to drive a rotary disk, a rotary disk coupled to the drive motor and configured to rotate, and a joint pipe having an arc shape and configured to extend and retract. The adjustable water jet device also includes a water nozzle coupled to the joint pipe, a fixing rack having a rotary disk portion coupled to the rotary disk and a joint pipe portion coupled to the joint pipe, the fixing rack configured to extend and refract, and a conductive flexible steel strip having two ends, a first end coupled to the rotary disk, a second end coupled to the joint pipe, the conductive flexible steel strip configured to extend or retract the joint pipe. The joint pipe can extend or retract the fixing rack under the control of the conductive flexible steel strip.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure will become more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view an adjustable water jet device of the present disclosure, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the adjustable water jet device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the adjustable water jet device in the retracted position, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the adjustable water jet device in the extended position, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of a connection mode of a second joint pipe of the adjustable water jet device, a guide bracket and a conductive flexible steel strip, according to an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Before turning to the figures, which illustrate the exemplary embodiments in detail, it should be understood that the present application is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures. It should also be understood that the terminology is for the purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an adjustable water jet device is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. The water jet device includes a drive motor 1. The drive motor 1 rotates in one or more directions, driving a rotary disk 2. The rotary disk 2 is coupled to the drive motor 1 and mounted in a fixing rack 3. The fixing rack 3 includes a rotary disk portion 35 configured to receive the rotary disk 2 and a joint pipe portion 33 configured to receive a joint pipe 5. The joint pipe 5 is arc-shaped in a longitudinal direction. In exemplary embodiments, the joint pipe 5 is a thin-walled metal pipe fitting, but may be made from other materials in other embodiments. The water jet device also includes a conductive flexible steel strip 4 having two ends. The steel strip 4 is coupled to the rotary disk 2 on a first end and coupled to the joint pipe 5 on a second end. The joint pipe 5 is configured to extend and/or retract the fixing rack 3 by moving the steel strip 4. The water jet device also includes a water nozzle 6 mounted on the joint pipe 5.
The water jet device is configured to move between a retracted position for when the water jet device is not in use, and an extended position for when the water jet device is in use (i.e. spraying liquid). When the water jet device is in the refracted position (shown in FIG. 1), the joint pipe 5 is retracted and received within the fixing rack 3. In exemplary embodiments, the control drive motor 1 is rotated counterclockwise to move the water jet device to the extended position. The drive motor 1 includes a driving shaft 11 that is inserted into a shaft hole 21 at the center of the rotary disk 2. As the drive motor 1 rotates counterclockwise, the drive motor 1 drives the rotary disk 2 in a counterclockwise direction. The rotary disk 2 includes an L-shaped slot 22 at an edge of the rotary disk 2. The L-shaped slot 22 is configured to mate with a fixed end 42 of the steel strip 4 having an L-shape. The fixed end 42 is clamped in the slot 22, coupling the rotary disk 2 to the steel strip 4. As the rotary disk 2 is driven by the drive motor 1, the rotary disk 2 drives the conductive flexible steel strip 4 toward the joint pipe 5. The steel strip 4 then pushes the joint pipe 5 out from the fixing rack 3, extending the joint pipe 5 and moving the water jet device to the extended position. The water nozzle 6 is located on the end of the joint pipe 5 and configured to spray water when the water jet device is in the extended position. After the water jet device is used, the control drive motor 1 is configured to rotate clockwise, driving the rotary disk 2 in a clockwise direction. The rotary disk 2 drives the conductive flexible steel strip 4, retracting the joint pipe 5 into the fixing rack 3 and causing the water jet device to move to the retracted position.
The joint pipe 5 has an arc-shape and is able to extend outward in a preset radian. In exemplary embodiments, the preset radian is configured to move one or more nozzles 6 into a cleaning position (i.e. in a position ideal for cleaning by spraying water with the nozzle 6). The joint pipe 5 bends downward to form an arc shape protruding upward. One or more water nozzles 6 can be arranged along an upper surface of the joint pipe 5 so that water flow may be uniformly and diffusely sprayed.
Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, the joint pipe 5 includes a first joint pipe 51 coupled to a second joint pipe 52. An end of the conductive flexible steel strip 4 is coupled to the first joint pipe 51. The water nozzle 6 is mounted on the first joint pipe 51. The second joint pipe 52 is slidably sleeved outside the first joint pipe 51. The first joint pipe 51 is configured to extend or retract from the second joint pipe 52, and the second joint pipe 52 is configured to extend or retract from the fixing rack 3. The two joint pipes 51 and 52 prolong the length of the joint pipe 5 by extending, and also make the volume of the joint pipe 5 smaller by retracting. The joint pipes 51 and 52 are configured to mount within a toilet. The joint pipe 5 may include more or less pieces configured to extend and/or retract, in other embodiments.
In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4, the end of the first joint pipe 51 that is furthest from the water nozzle 6 includes a first stopper 511. The end of the second joint pipe 52 that is closest to the water nozzle 6 includes a second stopper 521. The first stopper 511 is configured to make contact with the second stopper 521. As shown in FIG. 3, when the water jet device is not in use and is refracted, the first joint pipe 51 and the second joint pipe 52 substantially overlap, and the first stopper 511 is adjacent to the end of the second joint pipe 52 that is furthest from the water nozzle 6. As shown in FIG. 4, when the water jet device is in use and is extended, the first joint pipe 51 is driven outward by the conductive flexible steel strip 4. The first stopper 511 moves outward along an inner wall of the second joint pipe 52. The first joint pipe 51 drives the second joint pipe 52 to extend outward together with the first joint pipe 51, causing the first stopper 511 to contact the second stopper 521 (shown in FIG. 4).
The end of the second joint pipe 52 that is furthest from the water nozzle 6 includes a fourth stopper 523. The end of the fixing rack 3 that is closest to the water nozzle 6 includes a fifth stopper 31. The fourth stopper 523 is configured to make contact with the fifth stopper 31. The second joint pipe 52 is driven outward by the first joint pipe 51, causing the second joint pipe 52 to extend. The first joint pipe 51 and the second joint pipe 52 are configured to extend outward from the fixing rack 3 until the fourth stopper 523 contacts the fifth stopper 31. When the fourth stopper 523 contacts the fifth stopper 31, the water jet device is at its maximum length and fully extended. At this time, the first joint pipe 51 and the second joint pipe 52 have the least amount of overlap.
The end of the second joint pipe 52 that is furthest from the water nozzle 6 includes a third stopper 522. The first stopper 511 is configured to make contact with the third stopper 522. Once the water jet device is used, the conductive flexible steel strip 4 drives the first joint pipe 51 inward, retracting the joint pipe 5. As the joint pipe 5 is retracted, the first stopper 511 is separated from the second stopper 521. The first stopper 511 moves inward along the inner wall of the second joint pipe 52. The first joint pipe 51 drives the second joint pipe 52 inward, the two joint pipes 51 and 52 retracting together until the first stopper 511 makes contact with the third stopper 522.
The end of the fixing rack 3 that is furthest from the water nozzle 6 includes a sixth stopper 32. The fourth stopper 523 is configured to make contact with the sixth stopper 32. As the joint pipe 5 retracts, the first joint pipe 51 and the second joint pipe 51 may move inward together, retracting into the fixing rack 3. When the fourth stopper 523 makes contact with the sixth stopper 32, the first joint pipe 51 and the second joint pipe 52 stop retracting. At this time, the water jet device is in the retracted position and at its minimum length, and the first joint pipe 51 and the second joint pipe 52 substantially overlap.
Referring again to FIG. 2, the rotary disk portion 35 of the fixing rack 3 includes a flat-shaped first guide groove 351 and a flat-shaped second guide groove 331 for the conductive flexible steel strip 4 to pass through. The end of the second joint pipe 52 that is furthest from the water nozzle 6 includes an arc-shaped guide bracket 524. The guide bracket 524 includes a flat-shaped third guide groove 525 for the conductive flexible steel strip 4 to pass through. The end of the first joint pipe 51 that is furthest from the water nozzle 6 includes a steel strip fixing piece 512. A locating hole 513 is arranged on the steel strip fixing piece 512. An end of the conductive flexible steel strip 4 is provided with a locating pin 41, the locating pin 41 is connected with the first joint pipe 51 by passing through the locating hole 513, and one end of the guide bracket 524 extends toward the water nozzle 6 to form two arc-shaped long strips 526 spaced therebetween.
The end of the conductive flexible steel strip 4 that includes the locating pin 41 first passes through the first guide groove 351, then passes through the second guide groove 331, then passes through the third guide groove 325. The steel strip 4 is finally connected with the locating hole 513. The conductive flexible steel strip 4 moves along an arc line under the action of the long-strip and arc-shaped guide bracket 524. As shown in FIG. 3, the locating pin 41 is located in a gap between the two arc-shaped long strips 526 when the first joint pipe 51 retracts into the second joint pipe 52.
In exemplary embodiments, an air outlet carrying position 514 of the first joint pipe 51 is configured to carry an air outlet. An air pipe can be led out via a cavity formed by the first joint pipe 51, the second joint pipe 52, the first fixing rack 3A and the second fixing rack 3B.
In exemplary embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2, a third pipeline 7 is coupled to the fixing rack 3. The third pipeline 7 includes a vertically upward vertical hole 71 and a horizontal hole 72 in a horizontal direction. The third pipeline 7 also includes a cleaning rack 73 for carrying the third pipeline 7 onto the fixing rack 3. The cleaning rack 73 is a square frame structure. An end of the joint pipe 5 closest to the water nozzle 6 is coupled with a mounting portion 34. The mounting portion 34 is a frame structure with an opening above. A lower inner wall of the mounting portion 34 is provided with a first mounting groove 341. Left and right inner walls of the mounting portion 34 are provided with a second mounting groove 342. Bottom edges 731 of the cleaning rack 73 are inserted into the first mounting groove 341, which prevents the cleaning rack 73 from having downward movement. Left and right side edges 732 of the cleaning rack 73 are inserted into the second mounting groove 342, which prevents the cleaning rack 73 from back-and-forth movement and side to side movement.
In exemplary embodiment, as in FIG. 2, the opening of the mounting portion 34 is provided with a mounting hole 343. An ultraviolet lamp 8 is mounted on the mounting hole 343 by three screws. The mounted ultraviolet lamp 8 prevents the cleaning rack 73 from moving upward, thus the cleaning rack 73 is secured in six directions. The ultraviolet lamp 8 may be used for performing bactericidal treatment on the surrounding environment of the toilet.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An adjustable water jet device, comprising:

a drive motor configured to rotate in one or more directions and configured to drive a rotary disk;

a rotary disk coupled to the drive motor and configured to rotate;

a joint pipe having an arc shape and configured to extend and retract;

a water nozzle coupled to the joint pipe;

a fixing rack having a rotary disk portion coupled to the rotary disk and a joint pipe portion coupled to the joint pipe, the fixing rack configured to extend and retract;

a conductive flexible steel strip having two ends, a first end coupled to the rotary disk, a second end coupled to the joint pipe, the conductive flexible steel strip configured to extend or retract the joint pipe; and

wherein the joint pipe can extend or retract the fixing rack under the control of the conductive flexible steel strip.

2. The adjustable water jet device of claim 1, wherein the joint pipe comprises a first joint pipe and a second joint pipe, the second end of the conductive flexible steel strip is coupled to the first joint pipe, the water nozzle is mounted on the first joint pipe, and the second joint pipe is slidably sleeved outside the first joint pipe and can extend or retract the fixing rack under the control of the first joint pipe.

3. The adjustable water jet device of claim 2, wherein a first end of the first joint pipe includes a first stopper, the first end of the first joint pipe being the end furthest from the water nozzle, and a first end of the second joint pipe includes a second stopper, the first end of the second joint pipe being the end closest to the water nozzle, and the first stopper is configured to make contact with the second stopper.

4. The adjustable water jet device of claim 3, wherein a second end of the second joint pipe includes a third stopper, the second end of the second joint pipe being the end furthest from the water nozzle, and the first stopper is configured to make contact with the third stopper.

5. The adjustable water jet device of claim 2, wherein a second end of the second joint pipe includes a fourth stopper, the second end of the second joint pipe being the end furthest from the water nozzle, and a first end of the fixing rack includes a fifth stopper, the first end of the fixing rack being the end closest to the water nozzle, and the fourth stopper is configured to make contact with the fifth stopper.

6. The adjustable water jet device of claim 5, wherein a second end of the fixing rack includes a sixth stopper, the second end of the fixing rack being the end furthest from the water nozzle, and the fourth stopper is configured to make contact with the sixth stopper.

7. The adjustable water jet device of claim 1, wherein the rotary disk portion of the fixing rack includes a flat-shaped first guide groove for the conductive flexible steel strip to pass through.

8. The adjustable water jet device of claim 1, wherein the position on the joint pipe portion of the fixing rack that is closest to the rotary disk includes a flat-shaped second guide groove for the conductive flexible steel strip to pass through.

9. The adjustable water jet device of claim 2, wherein a first end of the second joint pipe includes an arc-shaped guide bracket, the first end of the second joint pipe being the end furthest from the water nozzle, and the guide bracket includes a flat-shaped third guide groove for the conductive flexible steel strip to pass through.

10. The adjustable water jet device of claim 9, wherein a first end of the first joint pipe includes a steel strip fixing piece, the first end of the first joint pipe being the end furthest from the water nozzle, a locating hole is arranged on the steel strip fixing piece, an end of the conductive flexible steel strip includes a locating pin, and the locating pin is coupled to the first joint pipe by passing through the locating hole.

11. The adjustable water jet device of claim 10, wherein a first end of the guide bracket extends toward the water nozzle to form two arc-shaped long strips spaced therebetween.

12. The adjustable water jet device of claim 2, wherein the first joint pipe is configured to carry an air outlet.

13. The adjustable water jet device of claim 1, wherein the joint pipe has an arc-shape.

14. The adjustable water jet device of claim 1, wherein the water jet device comprises more than two joint pipes.

15. The adjustable water jet device of claim 1, wherein a third pipeline is coupled to the fixing rack, and the third pipeline includes a vertically upward vertical hole and a horizontal hole in a horizontal direction, and a cleaning rack for carrying the third pipeline onto the fixing rack.

16. The adjustable water jet device of claim 15, wherein a first end of the joint pipe is coupled with a mounting portion, the first end of the joint pipe being the end that is closest to the water nozzle, the mounting portion being a frame structure with an opening above the frame structure,

17. The adjustable water jet device of claim 16, wherein a lower inner wall of the mounting portion includes a first mounting groove, and left and right inner walls of the mounting portion include a second mounting groove.

18. The adjustable water jet device of claim 17, wherein the cleaning rack is a square frame structure, bottom edges of the cleaning rack are inserted into the first mounting groove, and left and right side edges of the cleaning rack are inserted into the second mounting groove.

19. The adjustable water jet device of claim 18, wherein the opening position of the mounting portion includes a mounting hole, and an ultraviolet lamp is mounted on the mounting hole by screws.

20. The adjustable water jet device of claim 1, wherein the joint pipe is a thin-walled metal pipe fitting.