Abstract:
A showerhead or hand shower with spray outlet openings and at least one valve that controls the inflow of a fluid to the spray outlet openings, wherein the valve comprises a movable valve body via which at least a first and a second valve position are realized. A pushbutton is arranged for controlling the valve and provision is made to provide at least one additional valve for controlling the inflow of a second fluid, which valve is coupled to the at least one valve and is controlled or actuated substantially simultaneously with it through its associated pushbutton.

Description:
This nonprovisional application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/EP2012/001561, which was filed on Apr. 11, 2012, and which claims priority to German Patent Application No. DE 10 2011 017 434.6, which was filed in Germany on Apr. 18, 2011, and which are both herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a showerhead or hand shower. 
     2. Description of the Background Art 
     Most showerheads or hand showers have showerhead plates or spray face plates with multiple spray types. To this end, two or more groups of different spray outlet openings that are supplied with water separately or together are customarily arranged in the spray face plates. Inflow to the spray outlet openings is regulated by means of valve devices. 
     An extremely wide variety of solutions for switching the water inflow from one spray type to another are known from the prior art. 
     From US 2010/0237160 A1 is known a hand shower with multiple groups of spray outlet openings and multiple valves, wherein each valve is associated with a group of spray outlet openings. Each valve comprises an axially movable valve closing body that can be moved from a closed position to an open position by an actuation of a push-button, and back into the closed position by another actuation of the push-button. In this design, each individual valve can be controlled independently of the others. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a showerhead or hand shower with multiple spray outlet openings and/or multiple spray types whose inflow can be controlled via valves. 
     In an embodiment, the invention provides a showerhead or hand shower that has multiple spray outlet openings and at least one valve that regulates the inflow of a fluid to the spray outlet openings. The valve has a movable valve body by means of which at least two defined valve positions can be realized. Examples of defined valve positions are the flow position and closed position of a valve. A pushbutton is provided for the purpose of controlling the valve, wherein this control is accomplished by actuating the pushbutton and thus actuating the associated valve body. When the pushbutton is actuated, the valve body is moved from the first valve position to the second valve position. In addition to the directly controllable valve, at least one additional valve is provided in the showerhead for controlling the inflow of a second fluid, which valve is coupled to the directly controllable valve and is actuated substantially simultaneously with it through its associated pushbutton. This additional valve does not have a separate pushbutton, and thus cannot be activated directly. Consequently, actuation of this additional valve takes place strictly through the directly controllable valve coupled to it. 
     While the first fluid is normally understood to be the shower water that travels from a fitting through a hose to arrive at the shower head, possibilities for the second fluid include air, a mixture of water and air, or even an emulsion intended to be mixed with the shower water. 
     According to the invention “x” (x≧1) directly controllable valves with “x” pushbuttons can also be arranged on or in the showerhead or hand shower. By means of each of the “x” valves, a spray type is then activated that is defined by the type and size of the spray outlet openings or the type of fluid that emerges from the spray outlet openings. In addition, one or more additional valves can be coupled to each of the “x” directly controllable valves. 
     Customarily, the water inflow to certain spray outlet openings is enabled by means of a directly controllable valve, by which means a first spray type is defined. By means of a valve coupled thereto, air can additionally be drawn in from an air intake passage. Because the spray has a different appearance and a different effect on account of the mixing of the two fluids, a different spray type is produced even if the water emerges from the same spray outlet openings as the first spray type. 
     In all cases, each of the valves comprises a valve seat and a movable valve body. The valve body can be one-piece or multi-piece. It has a first region that is provided for a sealing function, the so-called seal body, and a second region, the so-called tappet, which is provided for guiding the valve body. The tappet is mounted in a radially fixed and axially movable manner so that the valve body can be moved in the direction of its longitudinal axis. In addition, the valve body is spring mounted. The mounting can be implemented by means of a separate travel limiting spring or by means of a spring element that is part of the valve body. If the valve body is multi-piece in design, the tappet and seal body can be positioned axially relative to one another by means of pegs. In addition, the valves have a seal element in the form of a sealing ring that is provided on the valve body or on the valve seat. 
     The pushbuttons of the directly controllable valves are connected to the valve body in such a manner that the latter completes a certain motion when the pushbutton is actuated. The direction of motion of the pushbutton and valve body correspond here. When the pushbutton is actuated, the travel limiting spring or the spring element is compressed by means of the valve body. The resetting of the valve body out of the second valve position takes place because of the spring force of the return spring. The resetting can be accomplished automatically through a control element provided in the showerhead when another valve is activated or when another pushbutton is actuated. This is accomplished in that the valve body is released from a lock position. The lock position and/or release position is defined here by the control element or the position of the control element. 
     In an embodiment, multiple different fluid distribution chambers can be provided in the showerhead. The fluid distribution chambers can have at least one inlet opening and one outlet opening. Regardless of the shape and number of the inlet and outlet openings, fluid distribution chambers can be provided which just one fluid flows into and out of. In addition, fluid distribution chambers are provided that serve to mix at least two fluids. For example, air and water can be mixed in a fluid distribution chamber to produce an aerated spray. In addition, water can be mixed with other liquid or gaseous additives. 
     Multiple fluid distribution chambers can be provided in the showerhead that stand in connection with the spray outlet openings. Oftentimes the spray outlet openings of the individual fluid distribution chambers have different sizes and/or shapes. At least one valve can be arranged for each fluid distribution chamber that controls the inflow of a fluid into the fluid distribution chamber. In this context, this can be a valve that is directly controllable through a pushbutton or a valve that is coupled to a directly controllable valve. Depending on the desired application, the valves can be provided for controlling the inflow of water, air, water with dissolved additives, and/or emulsions. 
     An embodiment of the invention provides that each valve can be in a closed position in the first valve position and is in a flow position in the second valve position. When the valve body is moved out of the first valve position into the second, this movement takes place in opposition to the force of the return spring. 
     An embodiment of the invention provides a control element that is suitable for guiding all “x” directly controllable valve bodies and/or for automatically resetting these valve bodies from the second valve position to the first one. To this end, the directly controllable valve bodies have a guide element that can be provided in the form of a peg or cone. The control element can be provided as a rotatable gate disc or a translationally movable gate slide, for example. At least one gate for guiding at least one valve body can be provided on the control element. When actuation of a valve and the associated movement of a valve body take place, a movement of the control element in opposition to the force of a return spring takes place at the same time. In addition, the control element serves as a locking element for the directly controllable valve bodies in the applicable valve positions. To this end, one or more receptacles for each valve body are provided on the control element, which receptacles define the first or second valve position. 
     Because of the individual arrangement of the valves and the associated optional actuation, for showerheads with “x” valves that are directly controllable through pushbuttons and with the associated “x” individual spray types, there are “2 x −1” possibilities for different spray types or combinations of spray types. 
     Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus, are not limitive of the present invention, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a top view of a hand shower according to an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a section through the hand shower from  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a section through the hand shower from  FIG. 2  along the line III-III; 
         FIG. 4   a  illustrates the detail “X” from  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4   b  illustrates the detail “X” from  FIG. 2  with different pushbutton and valve positions; 
         FIG. 4   c  illustrates the detail “X” from  FIG. 2  with different pushbutton and valve positions; 
         FIG. 4   d  illustrates the detail “X” from  FIG. 2  with different pushbutton and valve positions; 
         FIG. 5  is a detail view of a section through the hand shower from  FIG. 2  along the line V-V; 
         FIG. 6   a  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment for a control element and associated valves; 
         FIG. 6   b  is a perspective view from  FIG. 6   a  with different valve position; 
         FIG. 6   c  is a perspective view from  FIG. 6   a  with different valve position; and 
         FIG. 6   d  is a perspective view from  FIG. 6   a  with different valve position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a top view of a hand shower according to the invention; arranged on the top side thereof are four pushbuttons  401 ,  411 ,  421 ,  431  that are provided for actuating at least four valves  40 ,  41 ,  42 ,  43 . In the present example embodiment, the pushbuttons  401 ,  411 ,  421 ,  431  have the shape of a segment of a circle, and in their arrangement produce a circular operating panel. Customarily the pushbuttons  401 ,  411 ,  421 ,  431  are labeled with a symbol or lettering that indicates the spray type that can be selected. In addition, the pushbuttons  401 ,  411 ,  421 ,  431  are arranged in a region of a housing  10  that allows the user convenient actuation of the pushbuttons  401 ,  411 ,  421 ,  431  when he is holding the showerhead in his hand. 
     In the present example embodiment, four individual spray types are provided. In addition, three different types of spray outlet openings  50  are provided. An individual spray type can be selected by actuating a single pushbutton  401 ,  411 ,  421 ,  431 . In this design, it is possible to choose between a normal spray with a plurality of individual sprays, an aerated spray, a hard spray with a large spray diameter, and a massage spray with a movable spray pattern. Since it is also possible to actuate all pushbuttons  401 ,  411 ,  421 ,  431  simultaneously, a plurality of combinations of the different individual spray types is possible. 
     The structure of the hand shower is evident from  FIG. 2 . Arranged in the housing  10  are a handle water passage  20  and a head water passage  30 . The head water passage  30  contains multiple fluid distribution chambers  301 ,  302 ,  303 ,  304  and the associated valves  40 ,  41 ,  42 ,  43 ,  80  that control the inflow of at least one fluid per fluid distribution chamber  301 ,  302 ,  303 ,  304 . In addition, multiple spray faceplate units that have different types of spray outlet openings  50  are arranged on the bottom of the head water passage  30 . Each of the valves  40 ,  41 ,  42 ,  43 ,  80  includes a valve seat, which is located in the region of the inlets to the fluid distribution chambers  301 ,  302 ,  303 ,  304  on the head water passage  30 . In addition, each valve  40 ,  41 ,  42 ,  43 ,  80  has a movable valve body  402 ,  412 ,  422 ,  432 ,  802 , which includes a guide region, for example a tappet, and a sealing region, for example a seal body. In the present example embodiment, an annular seal element  403 ,  413 ,  423 ,  433  is arranged in the sealing region of each valve body  402 ,  412 ,  422 ,  432 ,  802 . In addition, each of the valves  40 ,  41 ,  42 ,  43 ,  80  has a return spring  404 ,  414 ,  424 ,  434  that presses the valve body  402 ,  412 ,  422 ,  432 ,  802  against the relevant valve seat. This ensures that the valves  40 ,  41 ,  42 ,  43 ,  80  are leak-tight even when the water pressure in the water passage  20 ,  30  is low. 
     The arrangement of the fluid distribution chambers  301 ,  302 ,  303 ,  304  and their associated valves  40 ,  41 ,  42 ,  43  is clear from  FIG. 3 . In the present example embodiment, four fluid distribution chambers  301 ,  302 ,  303 ,  304  in all are provided, which are arranged to be largely concentric to the center point of the circular showerhead. A gear unit  70  that serves to produce a massage spray is located in the inner region of the showerhead. To this end, spray outlet openings  50  are provided on movably arranged spray nozzles. The gear unit  70  for driving the spray nozzles is supplied with water through the fluid distribution chamber  303 . When the pushbutton  421  is actuated and depressed, the associated valve body  422  is displaced. This raises the valve body  422  from its valve seat and moves it in opposition to the force of a return spring  424 . When this occurs, the inflow of water from the water passage  20 ,  30  into the fluid distribution chamber  303  is enabled. 
     The inflow to the fluid distribution chamber  302  is controlled through the pushbutton  411  and the associated valve  41  or the associated valve body  412 . The fluid distribution chamber  302  stands in connection with spray outlet openings  50  that produce a spray with fairly large spray diameter, a so-called “jet” spray. Inflow to the fluid distribution chamber  301  is controlled through the valves  40 ,  43  and the associated pushbuttons  401 ,  431 . When the pushbutton  431  is actuated, only the valve body  432  is moved to a flow position. When this occurs, the inflow of water to the fluid distribution chamber  301  is enabled. In this valve position, a normal spray with a plurality of individual sprays is produced by the spray outlet openings  50 . 
     It is evident from  FIG. 5  that the valve  40  is also coupled to an additional valve  80 . This valve is connected to the valve  40  by a lever/rocker  90 . When the pushbutton  401  is actuated, the associated valve body  402 , which is implemented in a two-piece design here, is displaced from its valve seat  406  to a flow position for the water so that the water can flow into the fluid distribution chamber  301 . The valve body  402  includes a tappet and a seal body on which the seal element  403  is arranged. When the valve body  402  is displaced, it presses on one end of the lever/rocker  90 , the other end of which acts on the valve body  802  and the spring  804 , and raises the valve body  802  from its valve seat  803  as well. While the valve body  402  is moved downward by the pushbutton  401 , the valve body  802  of the valve  80  is moved upward at the same time. This releases an opening to the fluid distribution chamber  304 , which is an air distribution chamber that stands in connection with an air intake passage  305 . The fluid distribution chambers  301  and  304  are arranged such that air can flow out of the fluid distribution chamber  304  and water can flow out of the fluid distribution chamber  301  into the mixing chamber located thereunder when the valve body  802  is moved into a flow position. In this valve position, an aerated shower spray is produced. The water exits the fluid distribution chamber  301  through the same spray outlet nozzles  50  as when the valve  43  is actuated. However, a visibly different spray, and thus a different spray type, is produced through the admixture of air. 
     The showerhead according to the invention makes it possible to select the spray types specifically and directly by actuating the relevant pushbuttons  401 ,  411 ,  421 ,  431 . It is possible here to press the pushbuttons  401 ,  411 ,  421 ,  431  individually or in combination with one another. It is also possible to actuate all pushbuttons  401 ,  411 ,  421 ,  431  at once. The advantage of the invention is that an existing spray type or combination need not be deselected before it is possible to select a new spray type. Instead, the existing selection is automatically deselected when a new spray type is selected by actuating a pushbutton. This is accomplished by means of a control element  60  that serves to guide the valve bodies  402 ,  412 ,  422 ,  432 . To this end, the valves  40 ,  41 ,  42 ,  43  have a guide element  405 ,  415 ,  425 ,  435 . 
     The mode of operation is explained in detail using  FIGS. 4   a  through  4   d . The control element  60  is arranged between or on the valves  40 ,  41 ,  42 ,  43  such that it is always in contact with all guide elements  405 ,  415 ,  425 ,  435  in some form. The control element  60  is provided in the form of a one-piece, movable gate disc which must be moved in opposition to the force of a return spring during a motion. The direction of motion of the control element  60  is perpendicular to the direction of motion of the valve bodies  402 ,  412 ,  422 ,  432 . 
     In  FIG. 4   a , the pushbutton  411  of the valve  41  is in a non-actuated position. The associated valve body  412  is in the first valve position, which corresponds here to the closed position of the valve  41 . The seal element  413  of the valve body  412  rests against the valve seat. Inflow to the fluid distribution chamber  302  is thus blocked. A guide element  405  in the form of a peg is provided on the valve body  412  perpendicular to the valve body axis. The guide element  405  has a trapezoidal cross-section. In the depicted first valve position of the valve  41 , the guide element  415  is located in a first receptacle  602  of the control element  60 . Because of the geometry of the guide element  415  and receptacle  602 , the valve body  412  and the pushbutton  405  connected thereto are secured in this first valve position even though the return spring  414  presses against the valve body  412 , since the control element  60  is mounted so as to be immovable in the direction of the valve travel. In contrast thereto, the pushbutton  401  is in an actuated position, so that the associated valve  40  is activated and is in the flow position. The associated valve body  402  is thus in the second valve position and rests in a receptacle  603  of the control element. 
     In contrast thereto, in  FIG. 4   b  the pushbutton  411  is currently in a non-secured position. The pushbutton  411  of the valve  41  is currently being actuated and pushed downward. In this process, a beveled edge of the guide element  415  slides along a gate  601  of the control element  60 , moving the control element  60  in opposition to the force of a return spring. If the pushbutton  411  is pushed further downward without the pushbutton  401  simultaneously being actuated as well, the control element is moved far enough that the guide element  405  slides out of the receptacle  603 . In this case, the valve body  402  would be pushed upward due to the restoring force of the return spring  404  until the guide element  405  reaches engagement with the receptacle  602 . A further upward motion of the valve body  402  and the pushbutton  401  connected to it would then be blocked. 
     In  FIG. 4   c , both valves  40 ,  41  are in the flow position. The associated valve bodies  402 ,  412  are in the second valve position and the associated guide elements are secured in the two receptacles  603  of the control element  60 . In the hand shower according to the invention, it is possible to operate all four pushbuttons  401 ,  411 ,  421 ,  431  at the same time. In this situation, all valve bodies  402 ,  412 ,  422 ,  432  would be in the second valve position. Accordingly, then, all guide elements  405 ,  415 ,  425 ,  435  are secured in the associated receptacles  603  of the control element  60 .  FIG. 4   d  shows the situation when the spray type defined by the valve  41  is selected and the other valves are deselected by actuating the pushbutton  411 . 
     The pushbutton  411  is pressed down to its stop position. When this occurs, the guide element  415  is also slid along the second gate  604  to a stop position. In this position, the control element  60  is also located in a stop position. Further displacement of the pushbutton  411 , valve body  412 , guide element  415 , and control element  60  is no longer possible. However, the control element is now displaced far enough that the other guide element  405  or the guide elements  405 ,  425 ,  435  of all other non-actuated pushbuttons  401 ,  421 ,  431  are no longer in engagement with the control element  60  and are automatically moved upward. The resetting of the valve bodies  402 ,  422 ,  432  is in turn limited by an upper stop that is defined by the first receptacle  601  of the control element  60 . 
     Another example embodiment that shows an alternative control element  60  is depicted in  FIGS. 6   a ,  6   b ,  6   c , and  6   d . The control element  60  is implemented in the form of a rotatable gate disc. This, too, is rotated in opposition to the force of a return spring upon a movement of a valve body  402 ,  412 ,  422 ,  432 . The guide elements  405 ,  415 ,  425 ,  435  of the valve bodies  402 ,  412 ,  422 ,  432  are shaped as cones at the upper end of the valve bodies  402 ,  412 ,  422 ,  432 . The valve bodies  402 ,  412 ,  422 ,  432  each have a spring unit at the bottom end that acts as a return spring  404 ,  414 ,  424 ,  434 . The gates  601  are implemented in the form of cutouts in the shape of segments of a circle with beveled surfaces or edges. 
     In  FIG. 6   a , the valve body  402  has been moved downward out of the first valve position into the second valve position through actuation of the associated pushbutton (not shown). During an actuation as shown in  FIG. 6   b , the guide element  405 ,  415  of the valve body  402 ,  412  slides along the gate  601  and in doing so moves the control element  60  by a specific angle of rotation. The cutout in the control element  60  in the shape of a segment of a circle is large enough that the guide element  405 ,  415 ,  425 ,  435  fits through it. Once the guide element  405 ,  415 ,  425 ,  435  arrives below the control element  60 , the control element  60  rotates back because of the restoring force of the spring. As a result, the valve body  402 ,  412 ,  422 ,  432  is locked in the position below the control element  60  by the control element  60  itself. The resetting of the locked valve body  412  in  FIG. 6   c  is accomplished by actuation of a different valve body  402 ,  422 ,  432  and the associated rotation of the control element  60 . Once the corresponding recess reaches the position above the non-actuated valve body  412 , the latter can return to the first valve position due to the restoring force of the spring. 
     In this embodiment, too, each valve  40 ,  41 ,  42 ,  43  can be activated directly and independently of the valve position of the remaining valves  41 ,  42 ,  43 ,  40 . In this way, the spray types and combinations of spray types can be selected without prior deselection of the previously chosen spray type. 
     The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are to be included within the scope of the following claims.