DIRECTIONAL WATER NOZZLE VIA FLOW CONTROL OF IMPINGING JETS

A showerhead is provided that may include a plurality of nozzle systems (each nozzle system including a first channel and a second channel) and a first and second fluid path. The showerhead may include a first valve which may control a first flow rate of fluid flowing through the first fluid path and a second valve which may control a second flow rate of fluid flowing through the second fluid path. The showerhead may include at least one controller which may control the first and second valves. The first and second channels may be angled such that fluid exiting the first channel impinges on fluid exiting the second channel.

BACKGROUND

Flow control and temperature control of water are important in the bathing industry. Users tend to prefer showerheads, faucets, and nozzles that include various modes that provide different flow streams. However, the flow rate of water can impact its temperature, and the ability to adjust flow patterns of water can implicate additional hardware.

A shower system may include modes such as a rain mode and a burst mode. To achieve the differing modes, the shower system may be configured to alter the flow rate of the water. Each of the modes may present differing resistance to the flow of water. For example, the rain mode may present the least resistance to the flow of water, while the burst mode may present the greatest resistance to the flow of water. The flow rate of the water in the burst mode may therefore be lower than the flow rate of the water in the rain mode. This variable flow rate may lead to unintended consequences, particularly when a user switches between a low-pressure mode and a high-pressure mode. If a user switches from the rain mode to the burst mode during use with some flow-sensitive showers, such as electric showers, the temperature of the water may undesirably rise. If a user switches from the burst mode to the rain mode during use, the temperature of the water may undesirably drop.

While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, a specific embodiment thereof is shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description presented herein are not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular embodiment disclosed, but to the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning first toFIG.1, a sprayplate1may be configured to spray a first spray pattern5. Each of the water streams in the first spray pattern5may be directed at one or more angles that do not coincide with each other. The water streams may also be directed at one or more angles such that they intersect with other water streams to form a unique spray pattern. For example, as illustrated inFIG.2, all water streams from a showerhead10may form a second spray pattern15by intersecting at the same single location, creating an intense spray of water at that location. Alternatively, the individual water streams may not intersect with one another. InFIG.3, the sprayplate1may be configured to spray a third spray pattern20in which none of the water streams are emitted at an angle such that the third spray pattern20takes the form of a standard “rain” mode.

Different spray patterns may be achieved without any physical rotation or movement of any water outlets. Rather than a standard water outlet or water nozzle,FIG.4illustrates that there is at least a first channel25and a second channel30in each nozzle system35. Each nozzle system35may include any number of channels. Each of the channels may carry any fluid (e.g., water, shampoo, other cleaners, etc.). As an example, each nozzle system35may include two channels (as set forth inFIG.4); as another example, each nozzle system35may include five or more channels. A nozzle system35may be positioned in the sprayplate1or showerhead10at one or more locations at which a normal water outlet/water nozzle would be located on a standard showerhead. The first and second channels25,30may be connected to respective water inputs40that feed water into the first and second channels25,30. As shown inFIG.4, the water inputs40may be located in the nozzle system35, but it is noted that water inputs40may be remote from the nozzle system35and corresponding sprayplate1or showerhead10. In a remote construction, feed lines may extend between the water inputs40and the nozzle system35. InFIG.4, only the first channel25is active, while the second channel30is inactive. When the first channel25is active, the water input40feeding the first channel25may allow water to flow through the first channel25. When only one channel is active, a water output may be angled to match the angle of the active channel, as there are no other influences on the resulting stream of water. As illustrated inFIG.4, only the first channel25is active, and the first water output45is angled to match the angle of the first channel25.

InFIGS.5and6, the first and second channels25,30, as well as a third channel50, are used. InFIG.5, the first and second channels25,30are active, and water may be flowing from the corresponding water inputs40of each of the first and second channels25,30. The second water output55may be angled in a manner that results from the incoming angle of each of the active first and second channels25,30. The streams of water from the first and second channels25,30may impinge on one another, and the resulting second water output55may have an angle that is between the angles of the active first and second channels25,30. InFIG.6, all three channels25,30,50are active, and water may be flowing from the corresponding water input40through each of the channels25,30,50. The third water output60is therefore vertical, as the angles of each of the channels25,30,50are combined to form the angle of the third water output60. In an example, a showerhead may include two, three, or more channels per nozzle system.

The water pressure of each channel25,30,50may vary to change the direction of the water output. Even when the water pressure of each channel25,30,50varies, the water pressure of the water output may remain the same. This may prevent the temperature of the water output from varying. For example, if all three channels25,30,50are flowing at 1 unit per minute, the resultant flow of the water output is 3 units per minute. The water output may exit at an angle calculated by the average of the angles of the channels25,30,50, while accounting for the flow rate of the fluid from the channels25,30,50. When the flow rates are equivalent across each channel25,30,50, the water output may flow out at an angle which equals the average of the angles of the channels25,30,50. To steer the water output in a different direction, for example, the first channel25may have a flow rate of 2 units per minute, while the second and third channels30,50have a flow rate of 0.5 units per minute. The water output of the combination is maintained at 3 units per minute; however, the water output may be angled further toward the outputted angle of the first channel25with a flow rate of 2 units per minute. One or more valves may control the flow rates of the water flowing through the channels25,30,50. In an example, the flow rate of each of the channels25,30,50may be independently controllable by a respective valve. One or more controllers may control operation of the respective valves. The one or more controllers may be any suitable controllers, including any controllers known in the art. The one or more controllers may adjust operation of the valves based on user input.

The pressure within each of the channels25,30,50may be increased beyond a certain threshold. Such threshold may be determined and/or dependent upon a specific design embodiment. When the pressure within each of the channels25,30,50is increased, the water output may have an increased velocity. The increased velocity of the water output may create a “misting” output, which may be used to create an additional user experience. Each nozzle system35of the showerhead10and/or the sprayplate1of the showerhead10may include several media exit channels, such that the showerhead10may eject media from each of the exit channels. In such a configuration, the media may be ejected at a lower pressure threshold, and jet-like streams may be integrated with the mist-like streams to provide a “rain-through-mist” spray mode.

Turning now toFIG.7, a shower system65may include multiple nozzle systems35, each having three channels25,30,50. Each first channel25in each nozzle system35may be connected to a first of the water inputs40, while each second channel30in each nozzle system35may be connected to a second of the water inputs40, and each third channel50in each nozzle system35may be connected to a third of the water inputs40. Thus, each first channel25in each nozzle system35may be fed by the same water input40. Similarly, each second channel30in each nozzle system35may be fed by the same water input40, which may be different from or the same as the water input feeding the first channels25. Likewise, each third channel50in each nozzle system35may be fed by the same water input40, which may be different from or the same as the water input feeding the first and second channels25,30.

InFIG.7, the water inputs40are remote from the sprayplate1, and connect to the channels25,30,50via water feed tubes, hereinafter referred to as input lines70. As discussed above, the nozzle system35may be “steerable” by altering the water pressure of the water sent from the respective water inputs40, through the input lines70, and to the channels25,30,50(while maintaining the overall combined water pressure) to create the water output. Allowing overall pressure changes may also be desirable in the water output. With the water inputs40active, a fourth spray pattern75may spray out of the sprayplate1, which may be the same as or different from any of spray patterns5,15, or20. The fourth spray pattern75may be created by plurality of fourth water outputs80flowing through the channels25,30,50in the configuration ofFIG.8, which illustrates an example nozzle system35.

The nozzle system35may include a nozzle mouth85. The water from each of the channels does not mix until it enters the nozzle mouth85, which is separate from each of the channels25,30,50. This “mixing in air” concept prevents water from one channel from entering the other channels, potentially leading to cross-contamination. This is particularly useful when fresh water is being supplied through one channel, for example the first channel25, while grey water is being supplied through another channel, for example the second channel30or the third channel50. Other methods of combining the water supplies may lead to contamination of the fresh water supply, as the grey water supply could potentially leak into the channel holding the fresh water.

As discussed above, the shower system65may include a showerhead10, which as illustrated inFIG.9, may include several layers of varying topologies to provide all first channels25, all second channels30, and all third channels50with water from the respective same sources. A first layer90may include several “zones,” each of which connects to corresponding water inputs40. The first layer90may include three zones: an inner zone95; a middle zone100; and an outer zone105. An inner zone95may correspond to a first water input40and the first channel25; the middle zone100may correspond to a second water input40and the second channel30; the outer zone105may correspond to a third water input40and the third channel50. The inner, middle, and outer zones95,100,105may be used to keep the water from each of the zones' corresponding water inputs separate from the water from the other water inputs. For example, when grey water is used, the grey water should remain separate from the water of the other water inputs to prevent possible contamination of fresh water. Each of the inner, middle, and outer zones95,100,105may include an outlet path for the water to flow into a corresponding zone of the second layer110.

The second layer110may include a first zone115, second zone120, and third zone125. The water from the inner zone95of the first layer90may flow into the first zone115of the second layer110. The water from the middle zone100of the first layer90may flow into the second zone120of the second layer110. The water from the outer zone105of the first layer90may flow into the third zone125of the second layer110. Each of the first, second, and third zones115,120,125may include holes140. The holes140may allow the water to pass from the second layer110into the third layer145. The first zone115of the second layer110may include one singular hole140, as it may be centrally positioned. The second zone120of the second layer110may include several holes140which may be evenly spaced apart from one another. The third zone125of the second layer110may include several holes140. The holes140of the third zone125may be aligned in lines of three to match up with that of the corresponding path of a third layer145.

The third layer145may include a plurality of nozzle systems35, and several paths for water to flow to reach the nozzle systems35, as further illustrated in greater detail with reference toFIG.10. A first path150, may receive water from the first zone115of the second layer110and the inner zone95of the first layer90(ultimately from the first water input40). As the first zone115from the second layer110includes a hole140at a central point155, the first path150begins centrally to the third layer145and allows water to flow radially outwardly to the first channels25in the various nozzle systems35. Although only one radially-extending first path150is highlighted, water may flow radially outward along the other first paths150as well.

A second path160may receive water from the second zone120of the second layer110and the middle zone100of the first layer90(ultimately from the second water input40). As the second zone120of the second layer110includes holes140spaced slightly outwardly from the central point155of the first zone115, the second path160also begins slightly outwardly from the first path150. It similarly extends radially outwardly to the second channels30of the various nozzle systems35, and again, the highlighted second path160may not be the only second path160.

A third path165may receive water from the third zone125of the second layer110and the outer zone105of the first layer90(ultimately from the third water input40). As the third zone125of the second layer110includes holes140that are positioned to correspond to the locations of the nozzle systems35in the third layer145, the third paths165extend directly such that water flows into the third channels50of the nozzle systems35from the holes140in the third zone125of the second layer110. Each of the paths150,160,165therefore include several outlet apertures170, which may be nozzle systems35, whereby the water may exit the showerhead10.

Turning toFIG.11, the shower system65may include only an overhead showerhead10. The showerhead10may be configured in several manners and may be connected to one water input pipe175or two water input pipes175,180. When two water input pipes175,180are used, input pipe175may feed fresh water to the showerhead10, while input pipe180may feed grey water back to the showerhead10. Water received from input pipe175may therefore be routed to a different channel than the grey water from input pipe180. In an example, grey water may be directed to the third channel50, while fresh water may be directed to the first and second channels25,30. In another example, grey water may be directed to the second and third channels30,50, while fresh water may be directed to the first channel25. InFIG.12, the shower system65may include both an overhead showerhead10and a handset185. The showerhead10and the handset185may be configured in several manners and may be connected to one water input pipe175or two water input pipes175,180. The water input pipes175,180may be split via a diverter190before reaching the showerhead10and the handset185. Water input pipe180may similarly be a grey water source, which is fed to a different channel than fresh water from water input pipe175.

In an example embodiment, fluid sources other than clean water and gray water may be provided to one or more channels in one or more nozzle systems in a showerhead. For example, aromatherapy oils may be supplied to one or more channels during use, in addition to water that is supplied to other channels. In an example, three channels may be supplied with water, while three are supplied with aromatherapy oils, though other combinations are envisioned. Additionally, in an example, antibacterial cleaner may be supplied to at least one channel, to assist in cleaning of a shower stall after a user has finished showering. In such an example embodiment, three channels may be supplied with water, while a fourth is supplied with cleaner. Other fluids, and other numbers of channels may also be used.

As is evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the present invention are not limited by the particular details of the examples illustrated herein, and it is therefore contemplated that other modifications, applications, variations, or equivalents thereof, will occur to those skilled in the art. Many such changes, modifications, variations, and other uses and applications of the present constructions will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and the accompanying drawings. In addition, unless mention was made above to the contrary, it should be noted that all of the accompanying drawings are not to scale. All such changes, modifications, variations, and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present inventions are deemed to be covered by the inventions which are limited only by the claims which follow.