WO2020201677A1

WO2020201677A1 - Spray head

Info

Publication number: WO2020201677A1
Application number: PCT/GB2020/050260
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nigel SANSUM; Richard DAUNCEY
Original assignee: Kohler Mira Limited
Priority date: 2019-04-03
Filing date: 2020-02-05
Publication date: 2020-10-08
Also published as: GB2582800A; GB2582800B; GB201904704D0

Abstract

A spray head (100) comprises a face plate (102) including at least one aperture (114), a support plate (120) positioned above each aperture (114), and at least one movable element (124) configured to prevent flow of a fluid between the face plate (102) and the support plate (120) to the at least one aperture 114 when a pressure of the fluid is at or below a threshold fluid pressure. When the pressure of the fluid is above the threshold fluid pressure the movable element (124) moves to allow flow of the fluid between the support plate (120) and face plate (102) to the at least one aperture (114).

Description

SPRAY HEAD

The present disclosure relates to a spray head, in particular for an ablutionary appliance or fitting. More particularly, it relates to a spray head having a non-drip mechanism and to a shower system employing the spray head. Whilst the disclosure is particularly suited to use in a shower head, it need not be limited to such use.

Known shower spray heads are prone to dripping after the shower system has been turned off, due to residual water within the shower spray head and/or in the connecting hose and/or pipes. In addition to any irritation caused by the sight and sound of dripping water, this can lead to bathroom surfaces remaining wet and slippery for longer, so increasing the chance of accidents. Slowly dripping water may also lead to damp problems within the bathroom or shower room.

Some or all of the residual water within the shower spray head and/or in the connecting hose and/or pipes may drip from the shower spray head some time, e.g. several minutes or even hours, after the shower system has been turned off. This may be unexpected and/or disturbing. Further, it may lead to user complaints concerning the components, e.g. valves, within the shower system, which may in fact be perfectly fine. In attending to such user complaints, potentially unnecessary inspection, maintenance and/or replacement of valves and other components within the shower system may be carried out. Various factors may cause the delayed dripping of the residual water within the shower spray head and/or in the connecting hose and/or pipes, including for example changes in temperature, air pressure and/or air flow in the room.

According to a first aspect, there is provided a spray head, comprising:

a face plate including at least one aperture;

a support plate positioned above each aperture; and

at least one movable element configured to prevent flow of a fluid between the face plate and the support plate to the at least one aperture when a pressure of the fluid is at or below a threshold fluid pressure;

wherein when the pressure of the fluid is above the threshold fluid pressure the movable element moves to allow flow of the fluid between the support plate and face plate to the at least one aperture. The use of a movable element that is reactive to the pressure of the fluid within the spray head ensures that the spray head operates as normal when water is flowing under pressure but that when pressure is removed the movable element can prevent dripping of water that remains within the spray head. As the movable element moves between a flow-preventing configuration and a flow-allowing configuration dependent on fluid pressure, it can be ensured that dripping will be prevented after each use of the spray head. The at least one movable element may be elastically deformable. The movable element may therefore recoil under its own elasticity when the fluid pressure drops below the threshold fluid pressure.

One or more of the movable elements may include a protrusion. The protrusion may seal against the support plate when the fluid pressure is below the threshold fluid pressure and may be moved away from the support plate when the fluid pressure is above the threshold fluid pressure. Alternatively, the protrusion may seal against the face plate when the fluid pressure is below the threshold fluid pressure and may be moved away from the face plate when the fluid pressure is above the threshold fluid pressure.

Each protrusion may be configured to have a height equal to or greater than a distance between the face plate and the support plate. Each protrusion may be configured to have a height equal to or greater than a distance between a nozzle mat and the support plate.

The spray head may further comprise a recess associated with each movable element, into which the movable element is configured to move when the pressure of the fluid is above the threshold fluid pressure.

The recess(es) may be formed in the face plate.

Each recess may have sloped sides. The sloped sides may reduce stresses imparted on the nozzle mat, during repeated deformation. Each recess may have a trapezoidal cross-section, radiused cross-section, spherical or part-spherical cross-section, and/or conical cross-section. Other cross-sections of the recess may be provided, as long as they allow the movement of the movable element into the recess.

The recesses may be fluidly connected to ambient air by a channel. This can prevent an airlock forming in the recess that could affect the ability of the recess to receive its associated movable element.

The channel may connect the recess to the aperture. The channel may continue down the aperture. This may be useful where the or a nozzle mat may otherwise impede the airflow into the channel.

Each movable element may surround a perimeter of its associated aperture. Each recess may therefore also surround a perimeter of its associated aperture.

The at least one aperture may include a nozzle. A nozzle can improve the spray characteristics of the spray head.

The spray head may further comprise a nozzle mat that forms each nozzle, the nozzle mat being interposed between the face plate and the support plate. The nozzle mat may act to improve the fluid jets formed by the spray head and/or may simplify construction of the spray head.

The at least one movable element may be formed as a part of the nozzle mat.

Each protrusion may be formed adjacent to an associated recess. The protrusion may be formed as a ring on the nozzle mat.

The threshold fluid pressure may be substantially equal to ambient air pressure.

The fluid may be water.

The fluid may have a temperature of at least 0°C, up to or at least 5°C, up to or at least 15°C, up to or at least 45°C and/or up to or at least 65°C. The face plate may include any number of apertures. For example, the face plate may include up to or at least 10 apertures, up to or at least 50 apertures, up to or at least 100 apertures and/or up to or at least 200 apertures, or may include any other number of apertures.

The spray head may be provided in the form of a fixed shower head or may be provided in the form of a handheld shower head. The spray head may alternatively comprise a part of a sprayer, a sprinkler, a tap, a faucet or other fluid, e.g. water, delivery fitting, for use either indoors or outdoors in a domestic, industrial or commercial setting.

A second aspect provides a fluid delivery fitting comprising a spray head according to the first aspect.

The fluid delivery fitting may comprise a shower head, a sprayer, a sprinkler, a tap or a faucet. The fluid delivery fitting may be suitable for use either indoors or outdoors in a domestic, industrial or commercial setting.

A third aspect provides a fluid delivery system comprising a spray head according to the first aspect, the spray head being in fluid communication with a water supply.

The fluid delivery system may comprise a shower system. The spray head may be provided in the form of a fixed shower head or may be provided in the form of a handheld shower head.

A fourth aspect provides a kit of parts arranged to form a spray head according to the first aspect or a fluid delivery fitting according to the second aspect.

The skilled person will appreciate that except where mutually exclusive, a feature or parameter described in relation to any one of the above aspects may be applied to any other aspect. Furthermore, except where mutually exclusive, any feature or parameter described herein may be applied to any aspect and/or combined with any other feature or parameter described herein. A non-limiting example will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows an example embodiment of a spray head;

Figure 2 is an enlarged view of a nozzle of the spray head of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is an enlarged view of the nozzle of Figure 2, showing the channels;

Figure 4 is another view of the channel of Figure 3, showing its cross-section;

Figure 5 shows an ablutionary system including the spray head of Figure 1.

Referring to Figure 1 , there is shown a spray head 100 comprising a face plate 102 and a back plate 104 that are engaged together to form a chamber 106. The face plate 102 and back plate 104 are both formed of plastics, but other materials may also be suitable, these being known to the skilled person. The spray head 100 of this embodiment is configured for use as a shower head, but other uses may also be known to the skilled person and this is not intended to be limiting to the scope of the disclosure. An opening 108 is formed in the back plate 104 for the receipt of fluid, for example water, from a fluid source 1 10. In the present embodiment, the opening 108 is attached to a joint - in this case a ball joint 1 12 - which allows the back plate 104 to pivot relative to the ball joint 1 12 and connected inlet. This pivoting allows for directing of the spray from the face plate 102. For ease, the term“water” will be used from hereon in, but this is not intended to be limiting and other fluids may be used.

The face plate 102 includes a plurality of apertures 1 14 through which water may pass, under pressure . Adjacent to the face plate 102 is a nozzle mat 1 16 that is shaped so as to form nozzles 1 18 within the apertures 1 14, for the passage of water. The nozzle mat 1 16 is, in this embodiment, formed of a resilient material, which may comprise a rubber or polymer.

Above the nozzle mat 1 16 and within the chamber 106 is positioned a support plate 120. The support plate 120 includes a series of passages 122 through which water can pass in order to travel to the nozzles 1 18. The passages 122 of the support plate 120 are misaligned with the nozzles 118 and apertures 114 such that it is necessary for the water to pass between the support plate 120 and face plate 102 in order to pass through the nozzles 118 and apertures 114. However, in order to prevent dripping of the spray head 100 when water pressure is below a predetermined water pressure or threshold water pressure, the spray head 100 includes movable elements 124 that act to selectively allow and prevent passage of the water between the support plate 120 and the face plate 102, and therefore through the apertures 114, depending on the water pressure.

In the present embodiment, the movable elements 124 include a portion of the nozzle mat 116 including protrusions 126. The protrusions 126 are greater in height than a gap between the remainder of the nozzle mat 116 and the support plate 120 and therefore when the water pressure is below the threshold water pressure the protrusions 126 press against the support plate 120, preventing the passage of water to the apertures 114.

The nozzle mat 116, and more particularly the portion of the nozzle mat 116 that forms each movable element 124, is formed of an elastically deformable material, such as rubber or an elastically-deformable polymer. In the present embodiment, this is the same material as the remainder of the nozzle mat 116, but the movable elements 124 could be formed from a different material from the remainder of the nozzle mat 116 in other embodiments. Recesses 128 are formed in the face plate 102 adjacent to the movable elements 124. More specifically, the recesses 128 of the present embodiment are formed below each movable element 124. Each recess 128 therefore allows a corresponding movable element 124 to move into the recess 128, forming a gap between the protrusion 126 and the support plate 120.

In the present embodiment, the recesses 128 have a trapezoidal cross-section which extends in a circular path around each aperture 114. Thus, the movable elements 124 are able to be elastically-deformed into the recess 128 around the perimeter of each aperture 114, when the water pressure is above the threshold water pressure. The trapezoidal cross-section acts to limit any stress concentration that would otherwise occur during deformation of the movable element 124 into the recess 128, which can act to prevent or limit any damage that may otherwise occur.

Where the movable element 124 is formed as an elastically-deformable portion of the nozzle mat 116 as in the present embodiment, or as an elastically deformable portion of a similar such structure, the recesses 128 may be considered to define the extent of each movable element 124 - i.e. the recesses 128 determine the extent of the nozzle mat 116 that is able to deform and therefore define the portion of the nozzle mat 116 that may be considered to be the movable element 124.

Channels 130 are formed in the face plate 102, the channels 130 passing from the aperture 114, under the nozzle mat 116, to the recesses 128. The channels 130 provide a passage that allows the flow of air from the ambient air - i.e. outside of the spray head 100 - to each recess 128. This means that as the movable elements 124 move into the recess 128, which alters the volume of the chamber between the base of the recess and the nozzle mat 116, the air can escape, preventing it from becoming pressurised. This prevents the movement of the movable element 124 being partially determined by the force required to pressurise air within the recess 128. The channel 130 also allows the air to re-enter the recess 128 when the movable element 124 recoils back into its original position. An example of a channel 130 is shown up close in Figure 3. The cross-section of the channel 130 in the face plate 102 is shown in Figure 4.

Although the present embodiment seeks to prevent pressurisation of air within the recess in order to help operation by use of channels, alternatively it is possible to use the pressurisation of air within the recess to help determine the threshold pressure. For example, the air within the recess will need a certain force to be exerted in order to be pressurised and therefore this force will need to be provided by the water pressure in order for the movable element to move into the recess and pressurise the air. The pressure of the air will also assist with the recoil of the movable element once water pressure is lowered below the threshold water pressure.

In use, water will enter the chamber 106 through the inlet 112 and opening 108. The water admitted to the chamber 106 will be pressurised, for example by mains water pressure, either directly or through a boiler or an instantaneous water heater, water tank pressure, or by pumping, and will therefore be forced through the chamber 106 and the passages 122 in the support plate 120.

At this point, the water will press against the movable elements 124, including the protrusions 126. The water pressure will cause the movable elements 124 to elastically deform into the space provided by the recess 128, forcing air out of the recess 128 through the channels 130 in the process and creating a space through which water can flow. The protrusions 126 will no longer be in contact with the support plate 120 and therefore the water will be free to flow between the nozzle mat 116 and the support plate 120, through the nozzle 118, and out of the spray head 100.

When water is stopped from flowing into the spray head 100, through removal of water pressure by the closing of a valve or other flow prevention mechanism, there is no longer any motive force on the water in the chamber 106. The movable element 124 therefore elastically recoils back to its original position, where the protrusion 126 is in contact with the support plate 120, preventing the flow of water. The channels 130 allow air to flow back into the recess 128, avoiding the creation of a vacuum.

Where allowed by design requirements, the nozzle mat 116 may be omitted, the nozzles 118 being formed directly by the face plate 102 of the spray head 100. In this case, the movable elements 124 may be provided as separate elements or as a movable part of the face plate 102 or support plate 120. In any case, the movable elements must still create a seal to prevent water from passing to the apertures 114.

Although described as elastically-deformable in the depicted embodiment, the movable element may alternatively or additionally be movable in other ways, for example by use of a hinge. In order to provide some biasing to ensure that the movable elements always return to the sealed position when water pressure is below the threshold water pressure, at least one resilient element such as a spring may be used, or the air pressure within a recess, as described above, may be sufficient to result in recoil of the movable element. Other options will be apparent to the skilled person, in view of this disclosure.

For convenience, the preceding example has been discussed primarily in relation to spray heads for showers. The skilled person will appreciate that other applications of the anti-drip mechanism are possible, such as in spray heads for use in the kitchen or on hosepipes, taps or pressurised drink dispensers. Similarly, the example embodiments are primarily discussed in terms of using water, but the skilled person will understand that the disclosure would equally apply to other fluids.

Figure 5 shows the spray head 100 of Figure 1 as part of an ablutionary system. In this example, the ablutionary system comprises a shower system 1000. The spray head 100 is attached to a valve 1002 and a water source, which in this case is a water tank 1004. The water tank feeds a water pump 1006 which pressurises water to pass it through the valve 1002 to the spray head 100. The valve 1002 can be rotated to selectively allow or disallow flow to the spray head 100.

It will be appreciated that the spray head may be employed as part of any ablutionary system, e.g. shower system.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments above- described and various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the concepts described herein. Except where mutually exclusive, any of the features may be employed separately or in combination with any other features and the disclosure extends to and includes all combinations and sub-combinations of one or more features described herein.

Claims

1. A spray head, comprising:

a face plate including at least one aperture;

a support plate positioned above each aperture; and

wherein when the pressure of the fluid is above the threshold fluid pressure the movable element moves to allow flow of the fluid between the support plate and face plate to the at least one aperture.

2. A spray head according to claim 1, wherein the at least one movable element is elastically deformable.

3. A spray head according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein each movable element includes a protrusion, which seals against the support plate or face plate when the fluid pressure is below the threshold fluid pressure and is moved away from the support plate or face plate when the fluid pressure is above the threshold fluid pressure.

4. A spray head according to any preceding claim, further comprising a recess associated with each movable element, into which the movable element is configured to move when the pressure of the fluid is above the threshold fluid pressure.

5. A spray head according to claim 4, wherein the recesses are formed in the face plate.

6. A spray head according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein each recess has sloped sides, and optionally wherein each recess has a trapezoidal cross-section, radiused cross-section, spherical or part-spherical cross-section, and/or conical cross-section.

7. A spray head according to any of claims 4 to 6, wherein each recess is fluidly connected to ambient air by a channel.

8. A spray head according to claim 7, wherein each channel connects a recess to an aperture.

9. A spray head according to any of claims 4 to 8, wherein each movable element surrounds a perimeter of its associated aperture.

10. A spray head according to claim 9, wherein each recess surrounds the perimeter of its associated aperture.

11. A spray head according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one aperture includes a nozzle.

12. A spray head according to claim 11, further comprising a nozzle mat that forms each nozzle, the nozzle mat being interposed between the face plate and the support plate.

13. A spray head according to claim 12, wherein the at least one movable element is formed as a part of the nozzle mat.

14. A spray head according to any preceding claim, wherein the threshold fluid pressure is substantially equal to ambient air pressure.

15. A spray head according to any preceding claim, wherein the fluid is water.

16. A spray head according to any preceding claim, wherein the fluid has a temperature of at least 0°C, up to or at least 5°C, up to or at least 15°C, up to or at least 45°C and/or up to or at least 65°C.

17. A fluid delivery fitting comprising a spray head according to any of claims 1 to 16.

18. A fluid delivery fitting according to claim 17, comprising a shower head, a sprayer, a sprinkler, a tap, or a faucet.

19. A fluid delivery system comprising a spray head according to any of claims 1 to 16, the spray head being in fluid communication with a water supply.

20. A fluid delivery system according to claim 19, wherein the fluid delivery system comprises a shower system.

21. A kit of parts arranged to form a spray head according to any of claims 1 to 16 or a fluid delivery fitting according claim 17 or claim 18.