WO2021099756A1

WO2021099756A1 - Spray head

Info

Publication number: WO2021099756A1
Application number: PCT/GB2020/052451
Authority: WO
Inventors: Whitfield ROBIN
Original assignee: Kohler Mira Limited
Priority date: 2019-11-22
Filing date: 2020-10-05
Publication date: 2021-05-27
Also published as: GB2589318A; GB201917023D0; GB2589318B

Abstract

A spray head (1) for an ablutionary appliance comprises a body (2) with a fluid inlet (3), a spray plate (5) with a plurality of holes 6, and a plurality of nozzles (7). Each nozzle (7) has an inlet end (11) for fluid and a discharge end (12) adapted to project through a corresponding hole (6) for discharge of the fluid. At least one nozzle (7) is acted on by a radially-movable actuator 16 at or adjacent the inlet end (11) to adjust the angle of the discharge end (12) relative to the spray plate (5), between two end positions. Adjusting the angle of the discharge end (12) of the nozzles (7) relative to the spray plate (5) provides a way of varying the spray pattern continuously between the end positions. Using the radially-movable actuator (16) provides a simple construction.

Description

SPRAY HEAD

This invention relates to a spray head for an ablutionary appliance or fitting, and in particular a spray head adapted to provide multiple spray patterns.

The invention has particular application for shower heads but need not be limited to this use, as it may also be used for taps or hoses. It will however be described with reference only to shower heads.

Users often require different spray characteristics for showers. Known spray heads may have two or more modes, each providing a different spray characteristic, such as a gentle spray or an invigorating spray. The user chooses one of these for their shower, and may even wish to change mode during the shower. It is therefore important that it is easy to switch from one mode to another. Typically, a shower head with more than one mode has sets of nozzles, which may be provided in a flexible nozzle mat; switching between modes being provided by switching between different water channels in the spray head, which results in the use of different sets of nozzles for discharging the water. There is usually a limited number of modes, which may not correspond to the user’s requirements.

According to the present invention, a spray head for an ablutionary appliance comprises a body with a fluid inlet, a spray plate with a plurality of holes, and a plurality of nozzles, each nozzle having an inlet end for fluid and a discharge end adapted to project through a corresponding hole for discharge of the fluid, at least one nozzle being acted on by a radially-movable actuator at or adjacent the inlet end to adjust the angle of the discharge end relative to the spray plate, between two end positions.

Adjusting the angle of the discharge end of the nozzles relative to the spray plate provides a way of varying the spray pattern continuously between the end positions. This enables the user to choose a preferred spray pattern before or during a shower. Providing the adjustment by moving the inlet end relative to the discharge end by a radially-movable actuator ensures a simple construction. Conveniently, the nozzles acted on by the radially-movable actuator are moved radially by the actuator.

Preferably several radially-movable actuators are provided, each acting on several nozzles. Each actuator conveniently extends radially. Each actuator may comprise an elongate member having apertures, with each aperture receiving the inlet end of a nozzle. Each actuator may be mounted between a pair of guides for radial movement. The apertures of an actuator may also be arranged radially.

The actuators are conveniently moved simultaneously by a control member. The control member may comprise a ring mounted in the body for circumferential movement. Each actuator may have a projection at its radially outer end, received in an arcuate groove in the ring. Opposing ends of each groove are at a different radial distance from a notional centre of the spray head. When the ring is moved circumferentially, the grooves also move circumferentially, to move the projections and actuators radially. The ring may be moved using a member on the outside of the body.

Each nozzle is substantially rigid, having its inlet end received in an aperture in the actuator and its discharge end received in, and projecting through, a corresponding hole in the spray plate. Radial movement of the actuator moves the inlet end radially, such that the nozzle pivots on the spray plate at a point on the perimeter of the hole to move the discharge end radially.

The nozzles may be mounted as individual components. Alternatively, the nozzles may be provided on a flexible mat. Conveniently, the discharge ends of the nozzles are held by the mat. The mat may then be mounted on the spray plate. The mat may hold all the nozzles, or individual mats may be provided to correspond to each actuator.

In one embodiment, eight actuators are provided, each acting on three nozzles.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated, by way of example only, in the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 is a side view of a spray head;

Figure 2 is a top view of the spray head with part of the body removed;

Figure 3 is an underneath view of the spray head with part of the body removed; Figure 4 is a section through the spray head of Figure 1 showing a first spray pattern; Figure 5 is similar to Figure 4, but showing a second spray pattern; and

Figure 6 is similar to Figure 4, showing a third spray pattern.

Figure 1 shows a spray head 1 for a shower. The spray head 1 comprises a body 2 with a water inlet 3 leading to a spray chamber 4 and a spray plate 5 with holes 6. Each hole 6 has a corresponding nozzle 7, for discharge of water in a spray pattern. A control member 8 (not shown in Figure 1) is provided for continuously varying the spray pattern by changing the angle of the nozzles 7 relative to the spray plate 5 between two end positions. In one of the end positions the spray pattern has a relatively large area of coverage, and in the other end position the spray pattern has a much smaller area of coverage.

Figures 2 to 6 show the internal structure of a spray head, where water inlet 3 is central to the spray chamber 4, which is formed between the body 2 and the spray plate 5. The spray plate 5 has the holes 6 for the nozzles 7, the holes 6 being arranged in radially-extending lines 10. As shown in Figures 2 and 3 in particular, there are eight lines 10, each with three holes 6. It will be appreciated that the number of lines 10 and number of nozzles 7 in each line 10 may be varied as required.

Each nozzle 7 is of frusto-conical outline, with a larger inlet end 11, and a smaller discharge end 12. The discharge end 12 of each nozzle 7 projects through a hole 6 and through an aperture 13 in a flexible strip 14 attached to the inner side 15 of the spray plate 5. Each line 10 of three nozzles 7 has a respective flexible strip 14. The strips 14 serve to seal the nozzles 7 in the spray plate 5, and also form a pivot about which the nozzles 7 can move radially. The length of the nozzles 7 in each line 10 increases towards the centre of the spray chamber 4.

The inlet end 11 of each nozzle 7 is acted on by a radially-movable actuator 16. Each line 10 of three nozzles 7 has a separate actuator 16. Each actuator 16 has respective apertures 17 into which the inlet end 11 of a nozzle 7 fits securely. Radial movement of an actuator 16 moves the inlet end 11 radially, thus pivoting the nozzle 7 and moving the discharge end 12 radially in the opposite direction. The inlet end 11 of each nozzle 7 in a line 10 is moved through the same distance, but the amount of movement of the discharge end depends on the length of the nozzle 7. The discharge ends 12 of the radially outer nozzles 7 move through a greater angle than the radially inner nozzles 7 to provide the required spray patterns.

All the actuators 16 are moved simultaneously by operation of the control member 8, as explained in more detail below. The control member 8 comprises a ring 18 journalled for rotation through a limited angle in the spray chamber 4 between the body 2 and the spray plate 5. Annular seals 19, 20 seal the ring 18 to the body 2 and spray plate 5 and provide the peripheral sealing for the spray chamber 4. The control member 8 also has an external handle 21 by which it can be rotated by a user. The body 2 also has a corresponding projection 22, such that alignment of the handle 21 and projection 22 define a neutral position of the control ring 18.

Each actuator 16 comprises a strip 23 with the apertures 17. Each strip 23 is mounted in co-operating guides 24 in the spray plate 5 and the body 2. The body 2 and the spray plate 5 have corresponding pairs of ribs 25, 26 extending towards each other, that is, towards the axial centre of the spray chamber 4. Each of the pairs of ribs 25, 26 also extend radially. Adjacent ends of corresponding ribs 25, 26 have a respective internal step 27, 28, to define an enclosure for an actuator strip 23. The arrangement is such that each actuator strip 23 is held securely perpendicular to the axis of the spray chamber 4, and is guided for radial movement only.

The radial movement of the actuator strips 23 is controlled by the control ring 18. Each actuator strip 23 has at its radially outer end an axial projection 29 adapted to engage an arcuate groove 30 in the control ring 18. Each groove 30 extends through a limited angle, and has first and second opposing ends 31, 32 at different radial distances from the centre of the spray chamber 4. The first end 31 is radially inwards of the opposing second end 32. Thus, as the control ring 18 rotates in the spray chamber 4 relative to the body 2 and the spray plate 5, it moves the actuator strips 23 radially inwards or outwards, depending on the direction of rotation. The actuator strips 23 move the inlet ends 11 of the nozzles 7 accordingly, and the discharge ends 12 are moved to change the spray pattern. Figures 4 to 6 show the different spray patterns in use. Figure 4 shows a wide coverage, with the control ring 18 rotated to a position where the projection 29 of each strip 23 is at the radially inner first end 31 of the respective groove 30. This causes the nozzles 7 to be angled radially outwardly, with the radially outermost nozzles 7 being angled further than the radially inner nozzles 7.

Figure 5 shows a standard deluge pattern, with the control ring 18 in the neutral position. Here the projection 29 of each strip 23 is in the centre of the respective groove 30, so that all the nozzles are directed parallel to the axis of the spray chamber 4.

Figure 6 shows a task jet pattern, with the control ring 18 rotated to a position where the projection 29 of each strip 23 is at the radially outer second end 32 of the respective groove 30. This causes the nozzles 7 to be angled radially inwardly. Again, the radially outermost nozzles 7 are angled further than the radially inner nozzles 7 to produce a more concentrated pattern.

It will be appreciated that the spray pattern can be varied continuously between the end positions of Figures 4 and 6. The user may therefore choose a preferred spray pattern before or during a shower.

Claims

1. A spray head for an ablutionary appliance comprises a body with a fluid inlet, a spray plate with a plurality of holes, and a plurality of nozzles, each nozzle having an inlet end for fluid and a discharge end adapted to project through a corresponding hole for discharge of the fluid, at least one nozzle being acted on by a radially- movable actuator at or adjacent the inlet end to adjust the angle of the discharge end relative to the spray plate, between two end positions.

2. A spray head as claimed in claim 1, in which the nozzles acted on by the radially-movable actuator are moved radially by the actuator.

3. A spray head as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, in which several radially- movable actuators are provided, each acting on several nozzles.

4. A spray head as claimed in any preceding claim, in which each actuator extends radially.

5. A spray head as claimed in any preceding claim, in which each actuator comprises an elongate member having apertures, with each aperture receiving the inlet end of a nozzle.

6. A spray head as claimed in any preceding claim, in which each actuator is mounted between a pair of guides for radial movement.

7. A spray head as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the apertures of an actuator are arranged radially.

8. A spray head as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the actuators are moved simultaneously by a control member.

9. A spray head as claimed in claim 8, in which the control member comprises a ring mounted in the body for circumferential movement.

10. A spray head as claimed in claim 9, in which each actuator has a projection at its radially outer end, received in an arcuate groove in the ring.

11. A spray head as claimed in claim 10, in which opposing ends of each groove are at a different radial distance from a notional centre of the spray head, such that when the ring is moved circumferentially, the grooves also move circumferentially, to move the projections and actuators radially.

12. A spray head as claimed in any of claims 9 to 11, in which the ring is moved using a member on the outside of the body.

13. A spray head as claimed in any preceding claim, in which each nozzle is substantially rigid, having its inlet end received in an aperture in the actuator and its discharge end received in, and projecting through, a corresponding hole in the spray plate.

14. A spray head as claimed in claim 13, in which radial movement of the actuator moves the inlet end radially, such that the nozzle pivots on the spray plate at a point on the perimeter of the hole to move the discharge end radially.

15. A spray head as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the nozzles are mounted as individual components.

16. A spray head as claimed in any of claims 1 to 14, in which the nozzles are provided on a flexible mat.

17. A spray head as claimed in claim 16, in which the discharge ends of the nozzles are held by the mat.

18. A spray head as claimed in claim 16 or claim 17, in which the mat is mounted on the spray plate.

19. A spray head as claimed in any of claims 16 to 18, in which the mat holds all the nozzles, or individual mats are provided to correspond to each actuator.

20. A spray head as claimed in any preceding claim, in which eight actuators are provided, each acting on three nozzles.