Abstract:
The invention provides a drive assembly for a telescoping wand of water jet device. The drive assembly includes an internally engaged rotary disk. With rotation of the internally engaged rotary disk, the telescoping wand of the water jet device is caused to retract or expand.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit of and priority to Chinese Patent Application 201110361857.2, filed Nov. 15, 2011, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates generally to the field of telescoping water jet devices (e.g., telescoping or moving bidet wands) for use with sanitary or bath products. 
         [0003]    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 (e.g. having a bidet feature). Conventional water jet devices are powered for a telescoping movement by a drive assembly having a motor. The motor in the drive assembly is often small, and not capable of providing a large amount of torque for the telescoping feature of the water jet device. It is challenging and difficult to develop small drive assemblies capable of providing such torque. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    An embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a drive assembly for a telescoping wand of water jet device. The drive assembly includes an internally engaged rotary disk. With rotation of the internally engaged rotary disk, the telescoping wand of the water jet device is caused to retract or expand. This configuration can advantageously reduce the size of the gearing required to drive the telescoping feature while still providing sufficient torque. 
         [0005]    A drive assembly for a telescoping water jet device includes a motor configured to drive a pinion disk via a gearing system. The assembly further includes an internally engaged rotary disk having internal teeth. The internally engaged rotary disk and the pinion disk are located such that the pinion disk engages with the internal teeth of the internally engaged rotary disk. The pinion disk provides rotational torque from the motor to the internally engaged rotary disk. The internally engaged rotary disk is coupled to the telescoping feature such that rotation of the internally engaged rotary disk controllably extends or retracts the telescoping feature. The assembly may include a motor shaft connected to the motor. The assembly may further include motor gears fixed on the motor shaft, the motor gears configured to engage with a gearwheel disk of the gearing system. The gearwheel disk and the pinion disk may be coaxially and fixedly connected. The gearwheel disk and the pinion disk may be integrally formed. 
         [0006]    Another embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a drive assembly for a water jet device. The drive assembly includes a motor having a side face and configured to drive a gearwheel disk, and an internally engaged rotary disk having internal teeth. The drive assembly also includes a fixed shaft positioned at the approximate center of the internally engaged rotary disk. The fixed shaft is configured to provide an axis for the internally engaged rotary disk. Connecting gear of the assembly may include a pinion disk configured to engage with the internal teeth of the internally engaged rotary disk. The pinion disk may therefore drive the internally engaged rotary disk to rotate around the fixed shaft. The gearwheel disk and/or a system of intermediate gears may be configured to drive the pinion disk. The drive assembly provides power to a telescoping feature of a water jet device. 
         [0007]    Another embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a water jet device having a drive assembly. The water jet device includes a body, which includes a nozzle having a plurality of water jet holes, at least one tube section, and a base. The water jet device also includes a drive assembly. The drive assembly includes a motor having a side face and is configured to drive a gearwheel disk. The drive assembly further includes an internally engaged rotary disk having internal teeth and a fixed shaft positioned at the approximate center of the internally engaged rotary disk. The fixed shaft is configured to provide an axis for the internally engaged rotary disk. The drive assembly may include connecting gear between the gearwheel disk and the internally engaged rotary disk. The connecting gear may include a pinion disk configured to engage with the internal teeth of the internally engaged rotary disk. Driving rotation of the pinion disk drives the internally engaged rotary disk to rotate around the fixed shaft. 
         [0008]    In this embodiment, the water jet device also includes a steel strip (or a strip of other material) having two ends, a first end of the steel strip being coupled to at least one telescoping tube section of a bidet wand. A second end of the steel strip is coupled (for being pushed or pulled by) the internally engaged rotary disk. The steel strip is configured to move at least one tube section as the internally engaged rotary disk rotates. In this embodiment, the drive assembly provides mechanical power to the telescoping feature of the water jet device. 
         [0009]    Another embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a method for providing a water jet device (e.g., telescoping bidet wand) having a drive assembly. The method includes providing a body (e.g., for the bidet wand). The body includes a nozzle (e.g., bidet nozzle) having a plurality of water jet holes, at least one telescoping tube section, and a base. The method also includes providing a drive assembly for the telescoping tube section. The drive assembly includes a motor having a side face and configured to drive a gearwheel disk. The drive assembly further includes an internally engaged rotary disk having internal teeth and a fixed shaft positioned at the approximate center of the internally engaged rotary disk. The fixed shaft is configured to provide an axis for the internally engaged rotary disk. The drive assembly further includes one or more connecting gear. The connecting gear includes a pinion disk configured to engage with the internal teeth of the internally engaged rotary disk. The motor can drive the internally engaged rotary disk to rotate around the fixed shaft via the gearwheel disk and the pinion disk, wherein the gearwheel disk is configured to drive the pinion disk. 
         [0010]    In this embodiment, the method can also include providing a strip (e.g., steel, plastic, etc.) having two ends, a first end of the strip being coupled to at least one tube section, a second end of the strip being coupled for movement with the internally engaged rotary disk. When the internally engaged rotary disk rotates, the strip moves laterally and causes the at least one tube section to telescope (i.e., expand or retract, depending on the direction of the rotation of the internally engaged rotary disk). 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0011]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a conventional water jet device as viewed from one direction. 
           [0012]      FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of the conventional water jet device of  FIG. 1A , as viewed from another direction. 
           [0013]      FIG. 1C  is a partial exploded view of the conventional water jet device of  FIG. 1A . 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the water jet device of the present disclosure, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a partial exploded view of the water jet device of the present disclosure, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a partial exploded view of the water jet device of the present disclosure, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a structural schematic diagram of the water jet device of the present disclosure, wherein a motor and a connecting gear have been assembled. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the water jet device of the present disclosure, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the water jet device of the present disclosure, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0020]      FIG. 8A  is a top view of the conventional water jet device of  FIGS. 1A-1C . 
           [0021]      FIG. 8B  is a top view of the water jet device of the present disclosure, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]    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. 
         [0023]    Referring to  FIGS. 1A-1C , a conventional water jet device is shown. The conventional water jet device includes a stepper motor  1 ′ and a water jet body  2 ′. The stepper motor  1 ′ supplies power to allow the water jet device to telescope (i.e. to allow the nozzle  21 ′ to contract toward the water jet body  2 ′). The stepper motor  1 ′ includes a motor body  11 ′ and a connecting post  12 ′. The end  121 ′ of the connecting post  12 ′ is designed to be non-circular in shape. In this way, the end  121 ′ and a rotary disk opening  242 ′ are arranged without relative rotation, and the driving post  12 ′ is configured to drive a rotary disk  241 ′ to rotate. The motor body  11 ′ includes a power source and a gear reduction mechanism. The torque output by the power source is amplified to some extent via the gear reduction mechanism and then outputted onto the driving post  12 ′ of the motor  1 ′. 
         [0024]    Still referring to the conventional water jet device illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-1C , the water jet body  2 ′ includes a nozzle  21 ′, a first tube section  22 ′, a second tube section  23 ′ and a base  24 ′. The nozzle  21 ′ is a hollow cylinder with an opening on the end of the cylinder. The nozzle includes several small holes  211 ′ on one side of the cylinder that are configured to spray water. The water is intended to be used to clean parts of the body. The inner diameter of the first tube section  22 ′ is smaller than that of the second tube section  23 ′, and the first tube section  22 ′ is configured to slide within the second tube section  23 ′. Thus, the first tube section  22 ′ may be disposed within the second tube section  23 ′, and may have telescopic motion in relation to the second tube section  23 ′. The nozzle  21 ′ is sleeved on the first tube section  22 ′. Both the first tube section  22 ′ and the second tube section  23 ′ include internal pipelines configured to have water flowing through the tube. 
         [0025]    According to the conventional water jet device shown in  FIGS. 1A-1C , one end of a steel strip  25 ′ or other elongated member may be fixed at the edge of the first tube section  22 ′ (e.g., a telescoping piece of a bidet wand) by screws or another connecting mechanism. The other end of the steel strip  25 ′ is connected to the water jet device by a rotary disk  241 ′. The steel strip  25 ′ may cause the first tube section  22 ′ to “telescope,” pulling the first tube section  22 ′ into the second tube section  23 ′ when the rotary disk  241 ′ rotates. After the first tube section  22 ′ fully enters the second tube section  23 ′ by the pulling force of the steel strip  25 ′, the second tube section  23 ′ may be retracted further into the base  24 ′ until the nozzle  21 ′ is fully disposed within the base  24 ′. The side of the base  24 ′ that faces the rotary disk  241 ′ (according to  FIGS. 1A-1C ) includes an opening to accommodate the rotary disk  241 ′. The bottom surface at the base  24 ′ end is a circular ring  243 ′ with certain thickness. The thickness of the circular ring  243 ′ is approximately equivalent to that of a drive block  244 ′ of the rotary disk  241 ′. 
         [0026]    In this conventional water jet device, the rotary disk  241 ′ is a flat cylinder with openings at the top and bottom, and its shape aligns with that of the base  24 ′. The rotary disk  241 ′ may thus be disposed inside the base  24 ′, and is configured to engage with the base  24 ′, in order to rotate along with the motor  1 ′. The outer edge of the rotary disk  241 ′ extends radially and includes a side ring  245 ′ with a certain width. The rotary disk  241 ′ is arranged in this manner so that after the rotary disk  241 ′ is mounted into the base  24 ′, a space is formed between the outside face of the rotary disk  241 ′ and the inside face of the base  24 ′ to accommodate the steel strip  25 ′. A circular drive block  244 ′ is mounted in the approximate center of the rotary disk  241 ′, and the drive block  244 ′ is connected to the rotary disk  241 ′ at multiple points. The drive block  244 ′ is connected to the rotary disk  241 ′, such that the drive block  244 ′ may force the rotary disk  241 ′ to rotate. 
         [0027]    When the rotary disk  241 ′ is disposed within the base  24 ′, the drive block  244 ′ likewise enters the circular ring  243 ′ of the base  24 ′. The inside face of the circular ring  243 ′ then contacts the outside face of the drive block  244 ′. An opening  242 ′ is arranged at the approximate center of the drive block  244 ′, and the shape of the opening  242 ′ corresponds to the shape of the driving post  12 ′ of the stepper motor  1 ′. To prevent rotation of the driving post  12 ′ relative to the opening  242 ′, the shape is not circular. After the driving post  12 ′ of the stepper motor  1 ′ is inserted into the opening  242 ′ of the drive block  244 ′, the rotary disk  241 ′ may be driven to rotate. The steel strip  25 ′ that is connected to the rotary disk  241 ′ is configured to controllably force the first tube section  22 ′ to move in a telescopic fashion. 
         [0028]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2 to 7 , a water jet device of the present disclosure is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. In this embodiment, the water jet device includes a body  2 , a drive assembly  1 , and a steel strip (e.g., as shown in  FIGS. 1A-1C ) for connecting the effuser body  2  and the drive assembly  1 . The body  2  includes a nozzle  21 , a first tube section  22 , a second tube section  23 , and a base  24 . The nozzle  21  includes a plurality of water jet holes  211 . The first tube section  22  is disposed inside the second tube section  23 , and is configured to move in and out of the second tube section  23 , in a telescopic fashion. 
         [0029]    In exemplary embodiments, the drive assembly  1  includes a motor  11 , connecting gear  13  and an internally engaged rotary disk  15 . The connecting gear  13  includes a gearwheel disk  132  and a pinion disk  133 . The motor  11  is configured to drive the gearwheel disk  132 , which is configured to drive the pinion disk  133  to rotate. The pinion disk  133  is configured to engage with internal teeth  153  of the internally engaged rotary disk  15 . A fixed shaft  151  is positioned approximately at the center of the internally engaged rotary disk  15 , and is configured to provide an axis for the rotary disk  15 . The fixed shaft  151  is connected to the internally engaged rotary disk  15 , and the internally engaged rotary disk  15  rotates around the axis. The rotary disk  15  thus may drive the steel strip to pull the tube sections  22  and  23  to move. In exemplary embodiments, one end of the steel strip is connected to the first tube section  22  and the other end of the steel strip is connected to the outside face of the fixed shaft  151 . Thus, as the steel strip moves, the first tube section  22  may also move in a telescoping manner, e.g., in a direction toward or away from the water jet device body  2 . 
         [0030]    When the water jet device of the present disclosure is transitioning for non-use (i.e. when the first tube section  22  retracted within second tube section  23 , and not spraying water), the motor  11  rotates and then drives the gearwheel disk  132  in the connecting gear  13  to rotate, in exemplary embodiments. In these embodiments, the gearwheel disk  132  may then drive the pinion disk  133  to rotate. The pinion disk  133  may be engaged by the internal teeth  153  of the rotary disk  15 , transmitting power to the rotary disk  15 . The rotary disk  15  may then rotate, pulling the steel strip mounted at the outside face of the rotary disk  15  to move. As the rotary disk  15  moves, the steel strip pulls the first tube section  22  toward the body  2 , such that the first tube section  22  enters the second tube section  23 . The second tube section  23  may be further driven to enter the base  24  until the nozzle  21  is fully disposed within the base  24 . 
         [0031]    On the other hand, when the water jet device transitioning for use (i.e. extending out from the body  2  and for spraying water), the motor  11  may rotate in the opposite direction from when the water jet device is not in use, in exemplary embodiments. In these embodiments, the fixed shaft  151  may push the steel strip, rather than pulling it, and the steel strip may push, pull or drag the first tube section  22  to extend towards the far end of the water jet device until the nozzle  21 , the first tube section  22 , and the second tube section  23  are stretched to their maximum length. 
         [0032]    When the water jet device is in operation, in exemplary embodiments, the motor  11  may drive the gearwheel disk  132  in the connecting gear  13 . In these embodiments, the speed of the motor  11  is reduced and the torque is increased through the use of multiple stages of gears. A motor shaft  113  is configured to mate with the gearwheel disk  132 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . In exemplary embodiments, the radius of the motor shaft  113  is smaller than that of the gearwheel disk  132 , so that the speed of the motor  11  may be reduced when the motor gears  112  of the motor shaft  113  drive the gearwheel disk  132 . The revolutions of the motor shaft  113  drives fewer revolutions in the larger gearwheel disk  132 , thus reducing the number of revolutions to a desired speed and obtaining a larger torque. If the torque is amplified, the motor  11  may achieve more of an amplification effect than that produced by the motor  11 ′ of the conventional water jet device of  FIGS. 1A-1C . An external gear reduction mechanism that is driven by multistage gears may be mounted outside the motor  11 , which will not be limited by the size of the motor  11 . The gearwheel disk  132  and the pinion disk  133  coaxially rotate, thus the torque will not change during mutual transmission of the gearwheel disk  132  and the pinion disk  133 . 
         [0033]    In the illustrated exemplary embodiments, deceleration of the motor  11  may increase the output torque. In these embodiments, the output torque may advantageously be more than the torque outputted on the driving post  12 ′ by the stepper motor  1 ′ (e.g., via a gear reduction mechanism in the conventional water jet device). In exemplary embodiments, the pinion disk  133  further drives the internally engaged rotary disk  15  to rotate, thus pulling the steel strip. The arm of force is the sum of the radius of the pinion disk  133  and the gear thickness of the internally engaged rotary disk  15 . This arm of force is less than the radius of the rotary disk  241 ′ of the conventional water jet device. The smaller radius may advantageously increase the force available to tangentially pull the steel strip, and may advantageously improves the telescopic reliability of the water jet device. 
         [0034]    The water jet device of the present disclosure may advantageously allow the removal of the reducing mechanism in the motor  11 , and therefore reduce the thickness of the motor  11  compared to the motor  11 ′ of the conventional water jet device.  FIG. 8A  shows a top view of the conventional water jet device, and  FIG. 8B  shows a top view of the water jet device of the present disclosure.  FIGS. 8A and 8B  show the difference in thickness between the conventional water jet device ( FIG. 8A ) and the water jet device of the present disclosure ( FIG. 8B ). The thickness of the water jet device in  8 B is reduced by reducing the thickness of the motor  11 , which may advantageously enable further bidet design flexibility and may make the water jet device of the present disclosure easier to accommodate. 
         [0035]    In exemplary embodiments, motor gears  112  are fixed on the motor shaft  113  of the motor  11 . The motor gears  112  are configured to engage with the gearwheel disk  132 . The motor shaft  113  is coupled to the motor gears  112 , which are then engaged with the gearwheel disk  132 . The position of the connecting gear  13  is moved upward as compared to the conventional water jet device, thus the pinion disk  133  matches the internal teeth  153  of the internally engaged rotary disk  15 . 
         [0036]    In other exemplary embodiments, the gearwheel disk  132  and the pinion disk  133  are coaxially and fixedly connected. The gearwheel disk  132  and the pinion disk  133  also may be integrally formed in other exemplary embodiments. 
         [0037]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , an exploded view of the drive assembly  1  of the present disclosure is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. The side face of the motor  11  includes at least two first fixing plates  111  with a first bolt hole  114 . The drive assembly  1  also includes a lamelliform (i.e. having the form of a thin plate) motor bracket  12  which is positioned between the motor  11  and the connecting gear  13 , in this exemplary embodiment. The motor bracket  12  includes a fixing motor throughhole  122 , which is configured to match the first bolt hole  114  and also includes a motor gear throughhole  121  for the motor gears  112  to pass through. The motor  11  is configured to fixedly connect the first bolt hole  114  to the fixing motor throughhole  122  by bolts, such that the motor  11  is fixed on the motor bracket  12 . The motor gears  112  also pass through the motor gear throughhole  121  to match the connecting gear  13 . 
         [0038]    In exemplary embodiments, the number of first fixing plates  111  may be more than three, but may be any number suitable for the particular application. The number of fixing motor throughholes  122  may match that of the first bolt hole  114 , but may also be any number suitable for the particular application. 
         [0039]    In other exemplary embodiments, one side face on the motor bracket  12  that is facing the connecting gear  13  includes a first bolt post  124  and a first mounting hole  125  for mounting a connecting gear shaft  131 . In these embodiments, the drive assembly  1  may also include a connecting gear bracket  14 , configured to mount the connecting gear  13  onto the motor bracket  12 . The connecting gear bracket  14  is positioned to face the connecting gear  13 . The connecting gear bracket includes a second mounting hole  141  for mounting the connecting gear shaft  131 , and a second bolt hole  142  configured to match the first bolt post  124 . The connecting gear bracket  14  is configured to fix the connecting gear  13  onto the motor bracket  12  by mating the first bolt post  124  and the second bolt hole  142 . 
         [0040]    The connecting gear shaft  131  and the connecting gear  13  are also configured to fixedly connect, in exemplary embodiments. In these embodiments, the connecting gear shaft  131  passes through the connecting gear  13 . One end is rotatably inserted into the first mounting hole  125  of the motor bracket  12 , and the other end is rotatably inserted into the corresponding second mounting hole  141  of the connecting gear bracket  14 . The connecting gear bracket  14  and the motor bracket  12  may be cooperatively clamped such that the connecting gear  13  is fixed between the motor bracket  12  and the connecting gear bracket  14 , is engaged with the motor gears  112  in the motor  11 , and can rotate along with the motor gears  112 . 
         [0041]    In other exemplary embodiments, the base  24  includes at least two second bolt posts  241 . The side face of the motor bracket  12  includes a second fixing plate  123  with at least two third bolt holes  126 , and the third bolt holes  126  are configured to mate to the second bolt posts  241  to mount the motor bracket  12  onto the base  24 . By mating the third bolt holes  126  and the second bolt posts  241 , the motor  11 , the connecting gear  13  and the connecting gear bracket  14  assembled in the motor bracket  12  are fixedly coupled to the base  24 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the connecting gear  13  and the connecting gear bracket  14  may be received in the base  24 . The water jet device of the present disclosure may have a more compact structure and a smaller mounting space than the conventional water jet device. 
         [0042]    The water jet device of the present disclosure may be used in automatic toilets, but is not limited to that application, and may also be used for any other devices or products that need to spray liquid matter via a telescoping wand. Also, although the water jet device of the present disclosure is a structure with two tube sections, the water jet device may also include any other number of sections, including but not limited to a single tube section.