Abstract:
A bidet wand for a toilet includes a nozzle, one or more inlet hoses, and a connector assembly configured to fluidly couple the nozzle to the one or more inlet hoses. The connector assembly includes one or more connector tubes, and first, second, and third members. Each connector tube is associated with one of the inlet hoses. The first, second, and third members are coupled to each other in axial alignment with each connector tube extending through the first member and the second member. Each inlet hose extends at least partially through the third member and is coupled to an inlet end of one of the connector tubes. The nozzle is configured to receive an outlet of each connector tube and at least a portion of the connector assembly therein.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority to and the benefit of China P.R. Priority Application 201120424881.1, filed Oct. 31, 2011, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present disclosure is directed to a jet pipe apparatus, or connector device or apparatus, (e.g., for a bidet wand, spray wand, sprayer, etc.) used in plumbing fixture products (e.g., a toilet) to clean special parts of human body, as well as to a toilet or toilet seat having a spray wand. 
         [0003]    In cleaning toilets having conventional jet pipe apparatuses, a plurality of connection pipes is typically used to connect a plurality of water paths (e.g., between a water source and a spray nozzle. Some connection pipes are conventionally coupled to a fixing seat by means of ultrasonic welding. For example,  FIG. 1  illustrates a conventional fixing seat  110  and connection pipes  120  prior to the ultrasonic welding, and  FIG. 2  illustrates the conventional fixing seat  110  and connection pipes  120  after ultrasonic welding. 
         [0004]    More particularly,  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  illustrate three connection pipes  120 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , two connection pipes  120   a ,  120   b  are coupled to (e.g., formed integrally with) the fixing seat  110 . The other connection pipe  120   c  comprises a tongue on the pipe wall, and the fixing seat  110  includes an inner wall having a channel that corresponds to the connection pipe  120   c  and the further includes a groove corresponding to the tongue of the connection pipe  120   c . During the manufacturing, the tongue on the connection pipe is positioned inside the groove of the fixing seat to thereby allow an end of the connection pipe  120   c  to be positioned inside the channel of the fixing seat  110 . Subsequently, ultrasonic welding is conducted to couple the connection pipe  120   c  to the fixing seat (e.g., form the state of the integral formation of the connection pipes  120   a - 120   c  and the fixing seat  110 ), as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0005]    When the connection pipe (e.g.,  120   c ) and the fixing seat  110  are coupled to each other (e.g., integrally formed) by means of ultrasonic welding, as described above, molding to required design standards may be difficult. The welding process may result in scars and cracks, distortion and deformation, material overflow and rough edges, and other difficulty in meeting size tolerances. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    A bidet wand for a toilet includes a nozzle, one or more inlet hoses, and a connector assembly configured to fluidly couple the nozzle to the one or more inlet hoses. The connector assembly includes one or more connector tubes, and first, second, and third members. Each connector tube is associated with one of the inlet hoses. The first, second, and third members are coupled to each other in generally axial alignment with each connector tube extending through the first member and the second member. Each inlet hose extends at least partially through the third member and is coupled to an inlet end of one of the connector tubes. The nozzle is configured to receive an outlet of each connector tube and at least a portion of the connector assembly therein. 
         [0007]    A bidet wand includes a nozzle, a plurality of inlet hoses, and a connector device that couples the nozzle to the inlet hoses in fluidic communication. The connector device includes a plurality of connector tubes, a first member, a second member, and a third member. Each connector tube is associated with one of the inlet hoses. The first member includes a plurality of through holes, each through hole having one of the connector tubes extending therethrough. The second member includes a plurality of through holes, each through hole being aligned with one of the through holes of the first member and having one of the connector tubes extending therethrough. The third member has one of the inlets hoses extending at least partially therethrough The first member, second member, and third member are coupled to each other in generally axial alignment. An inlet end of each connector tube is connected in fluidic communication with one of the inlet hoses to form a water flow channel. The nozzle is connected to the connector assembly with an outlet end of each connector tube being received within the nozzle. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a conventional fixing seat and connection pipes prior to assembly and ultrasonic welding; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the conventional fixing seat and the connection pipes in  FIG. 1  after assembly and ultrasonic welding; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a jet pipe installed on an intelligent toilet seat without a nozzle installed, according an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0011]      FIGS. 4   a - 4   d  are alternative perspective views of the toilet seat shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a jet pipe installed on an intelligent toilet seat with a nozzle, according to an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a jet pipe, according to an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is an exploded view the jet pipe shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 8   a  is a front, plan view of a front fixing member, according to an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0016]      FIG. 8   b  is a rear, plan view of the front fixing member shown in  FIG. 8   a;    
           [0017]      FIG. 8   c  is a three-dimensional view of the front fixing member shown in  FIG. 8   a;    
           [0018]      FIG. 9   a  is a front, plan view of a rear fixing member, according to an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0019]      FIG. 9   b  is a rear, plan view of the rear fixing member shown in  FIG. 9   a;    
           [0020]      FIG. 9   c  is a three-dimensional view of the rear fixing member shown in  FIG. 9   a;    
           [0021]      FIG. 10   a  is a rear, plan view of a fixing seat, according to an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0022]      FIG. 10   b  is a rear, plan view of the fixing seat shown in  FIG. 10   a;    
           [0023]      FIG. 10   c  is a three-dimensional view of the fixing seat shown in  FIG. 10   a;    
           [0024]      FIG. 11  is a longitudinal sectional view of the jet pipe shown in  FIG. 6 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0025]    To address the above technical problems, the present disclosure provides a new jet pipe apparatus for use in sanitary products (e.g., toilets, toilet seats, etc.). The jet pipe apparatus of varying embodiments can provide for easier mold stripping, can provide a simple and stable structure, can simplify the production, and can avoid the ultrasonic welding. 
         [0026]    According to an exemplary embodiment, a jet pipe apparatus includes a jet pipe and a nozzle that is connected to an outlet end of the jet pipe by means of a socket (e.g., male/female relationship), wherein the jet pipe includes a plurality of connection pipes that are molded separately, a front fixing member, a rear fixing member, and a fixing seat. A plurality of inlet hoses are inserted into the side of the fixing seat that is far away from the nozzle (i.e., generally opposite the nozzle), while the other side thereof are coupled, and arranged sequentially, the rear fixing member and the front fixing member in the axial direction. A plurality of through holes are formed on the front fixing member and the rear fixing member, respectively, the plurality of connection pipes axially run or extend through the through holes on the front fixing member, the through holes on the rear fixing member, and the through hole or holes on the fixing seat, respectively, to be connected with the inlet hoses by means of a socket (i.e., male/female relationship), respectively, thereby forming water flow channels. The connection pipes are mutually coupled with the front fixing member, the rear fixing member, and the fixing seat. 
         [0027]    According to an exemplary embodiment, a plurality of small holes are formed on the front fixing member and the rear fixing member, respectively, a plurality of bolt poles, with corresponding bolt holes, are formed on the fixing seat. A plurality of bolts run through the small holes on the front fixing member and the rear fixing member and are tightened into the bolt holes of the bolt poles on the fixing seat, thereby mutually fixing the front fixing member, the rear fixing member, and the fixing seat. 
         [0028]    According to an exemplary embodiment, the socket connection between each of the connection pipes and the inlet hoses is fixed with a clamp. According to an exemplary embodiment, a sealing ring is fitted onto the outlet end of each of the connection pipe. A groove may also be formed on the outlet end of the connection pipe, and the sealing ring is inserted into the groove. According to an exemplary embodiment, one or more notches are formed at the through hole of the front fixing member, one or more ribs are formed on the connection pipe, and the rib of the connection pipe fits into a corresponding notch of the front fixing member. 
         [0029]    According to an exemplary embodiment, one or more notches are formed at the through hole of the rear fixing member, one or more ribs are formed on the connection pipe, and the rib of the connection pipe fits into a corresponding notch of the rear fixing member. According to an exemplary embodiment, ribs are formed on a front half or portion of the base of the fixing seat, and correspondingly, there are corresponding grooves inside the nozzle socket for engagement therewith. According to an exemplary embodiment, a rear half or portion of the base of the fixing seat is locked and fixed with the nozzle socket via a locking device. According to an exemplary embodiment, a toilet or toilet seat includes the above jet pipe apparatus installed at the edge of the toilet close to the stool. 
         [0030]    The jet pipe apparatus and the toilet or seat according to the various exemplary embodiments described herein achieve free flow in the pipes by means of mechanical connection and fixation, rather than by ultrasonic welding that is typically used in the prior art, thereby avoiding numerous drawbacks as a result of the ultrasonic welding. Moreover, two fixing members are used in the jet pipe apparatus to fix the connection pipes such that the fixation of the pipes is more stable and the water flow is less impeded than in a conventional jet pipe apparatus. 
         [0031]    In the description and the figures, like reference numerals represent the like components.  FIG. 3  illustrates a spray wand or jet pipe  200  installed on an intelligent toilet or toilet seat  300  without a nozzle having been installed on the jet pipe  200 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the jet pipe  200  is installed at the edge of the toilet or seat  300  close to the stool, and a plurality of connection pipes  100  extend from the jet pipe  200  toward the stool. 
         [0032]      FIGS. 4   a - 4   d  depict the toilet or toilet seat  300  from different perspectives to further illustrate the installation relationship between the connection pipes (e.g., connector tubes)  100 , the jet pipe  200 , and the toilet or seat  300  (a nozzle is not depicted). 
         [0033]      FIG. 5  illustrates the jet pipe  200  that installed on an intelligent toilet or seat  300 , as shown previously shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4   a - 4   d , which includes a nozzle  400  installed through socket connection. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the connection pipes  100  are not visible, since the nozzle  400  has been connected to the jet pipe  200  through socket connection (i.e., the connection pipes  100  are received within the nozzle  400  in a male/female relationship). 
         [0034]      FIGS. 6 ,  7 , and  11  illustrate the internal structure of the jet pipe  200  with a completed internal assembly according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the jet pipe  200  comprises a plurality of connection pipes  100 , a front fixing member  202  (further shown in  FIGS. 8   a - 8   c ), a rear fixing member  203  (further shown in  FIGS. 9   a - 9   c ), and a fixing seat or member  201  (further shown in  FIGS. 10   a - 10   c ). A plurality of hoses  204  are inserted into one side of the fixing seat  201 , while the other side thereof is sequentially provided with the rear fixing member  203  and the front fixing member  202  in the axial direction. The plurality of connection pipes  100  runs through the front fixing member  202  and the rear fixing member  203  to be inserted into the fixing seat  201 , respectively, and thereby connect to the plurality of hoses  204 . 
         [0035]    It should be noted that although three connection pipes  100  are shown in  FIG. 6  and these three connection pipes  100  are distributed evenly in the circumferential direction, those skilled in the art should understand that other amounts of connection pipes may be provided according to other exemplary embodiments (e.g., depending on the actual situation or application), and the relative positions between the connection pipes may also be adjusted according to other exemplary embodiments (e.g., depending the actual situation or application). These connection pipes  100  are independently disposed for easy mold stripping. 
         [0036]      FIG. 7  is an exploded view of the jet pipe shown in  FIG. 6 . The connection pipes  100  sequentially run through a plurality of through holes  202   a ,  203   a  formed, respectively, on the front fixing member  202  and the rear fixing member  203 . The connection pipes  100  then extend into a single or multiple through holes on the base  205  for socket connection with the ends of the hoses  204  (i.e., the hoses  204  receive the connection pipes  100  therein in a male/female relationship), which extend into the base  205  opposite the connection pipes  100  (i.e., the hoses  204  are inserted from the other side of the base  205 ). In such a way, sealed and free-flowing water channels are formed between the connection pipes  100  and the hoses  204 . According to an exemplary embodiment, when the connection pipes  100  connect with the hoses  204  by means of a socket, a clamp  207  may also be used for fixation to prevent the hoses  204  and connection pipes  100  from separating apart and to further enhance the sealing between the connection pipes  100  and the hoses  204 . 
         [0037]    A plurality of small holes  202   b ,  203   b , respectively, may be further formed on the front fixing member  202  and the rear fixing member  203  for bolts, screws, or other fasteners to extend through, while the fixing seat  201  includes a plurality of corresponding bolt poles  201   a  having bolt holes or apertures  201   b  therein. A plurality of bolts or other threaded fasteners  208  run through the small holes  202   b  on the front fixing member  202  and the small holes  203   b  on the rear fixing member  203 , and are inserted into the corresponding bolt holes  201   b  in the bolt poles  201   a  on the fixing seat  201 , thereby mutually fixing or coupling the front fixing member  202 , the connection pipes  100 , the rear fixing member  203 , and the base  205 . 
         [0038]    The bolts  208 , which are used for fixation between the above parts, may also effectively prevent the misalignment among these parts and, thereby, prevent interference of the flowing water in the flow channels. According to other exemplary embodiments, the fixation or coupling between the above parts does not have to be by means of bolts, so long as the fixation can ensure the prevention of interference with the flowing water in the flow channels. For example, the above parts may be locked, respectively, such that they are closely fixed together without causing misalignment. 
         [0039]    Moreover, it should be understood that although three bolts  208  are shown in  FIG. 7 , other amounts of the bolts  208  may be used to couple the parts. 
         [0040]    According to an exemplary embodiment, a sealing ring  206  may be fitted onto the outlet end of the connection pipe  100  (i.e., to engage the nozzle  400 ) to prevent the water flow from the connection pipe  100  from flowing back from outside of the connection pipe  100  to the hose  204 . A groove (e.g., annular groove)  101   a  may be formed on the outlet end of the connection pipe  100  for more readily securing the sealing ring  206  to the connecting pipe  100 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 8   a  and  FIG. 8   b  are front and the rear views, respectively, of the front fixing member  202  according to an exemplary embodiment, while  FIG. 8   c  is a perspective view of the front fixing member  202  shown in  FIGS. 8   a  and  8   b.    
         [0042]    As shown in  FIG. 8   a  and  FIG. 8   b , a plurality of through holes  202   a  run through the front fixing member  202  and are configured insertion of the connection pipes  100  therein. Moreover, a plurality of small holes  202   b  run through the front fixing member  202  for insertion of the fixation bolts (e.g.,  208 ). 
         [0043]    As shown in  FIG. 8   c , one or more notches  202   c  (e.g., a recess concentric with the through hole  202   a ) are formed at the through hole  202   a  of the front fixing member  202 , which are configured to receive one or more ribs or annular or outwardly extending protrusions  100   a  formed on the connection pipe  100  (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 7 and 11 ). The rib  100   a  fits into the corresponding notch  202   c  such that the connection between the connection pipe  100  and the front fixing member  202  is closer. For example, the ribs  100   a  engage the notches  202   c , so as to prevent the connection pipes  100  from moving entirely through the through holes  202   a  (i.e., the notches  202   c  and ribs  100   a  are cooperatively configured to prevent continued forward axial movement of the connection pipes  100  relative to the front fixing member  202 ). 
         [0044]      FIG. 9   a  and  FIG. 9   b  are the front and rear views, respectively, of the rear fixing member  203  according to an exemplary embodiment, while  FIG. 9   c  is a perspective view of the rear fixing member  203  in shown in  FIGS. 9   a - 9   b.    
         [0045]    As shown in  FIG. 9   a  and  FIG. 9   b , a plurality of through holes  203   a  run through the rear fixing member  203  and are configured insertion of the connection pipes  100  therein. Moreover, a plurality of small holes  203   b  run through the rear fixing member  203  for insertion of the fixation bolts (e.g.,  208 ). 
         [0046]    As shown in  FIG. 9   c , one or more notches  203   c  (e.g., a recess concentric with the through hole  203   a ) are formed at the through hole  203   a  of the rear fixing member  203 , which are configured to receive the one or more ribs  100   a  of the connection pipe  100 . The rib  100   a  fits into the corresponding notch  203   c  such that the connection between the connection pipe  100  and the rear fixing member  203  is closer. For example, the ribs  100   a  engage the notches  203   c , so as to prevent the connection pipes  100  from moving entirely through the through holes  203   a  (i.e., the notches  203   c  and ribs  100   a  are cooperatively configured to prevent continued rearward axial movement of the connection pipes  100  relative to the rear fixing member  203 ). As shown in the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 11 , when the rear fixing member  203  is coupled to the front fixing member  202 , the ribs or protrusions  100   a  of the connecting pipes  100  are positioned and/or held between the notches  202   c ,  203   c  of the front and rear fixing members  202 ,  203  to hold the connecting pipes  100  in a generally fixed position. 
         [0047]      FIG. 10   a  and  FIG. 10   b  are front and rear views, respectively, of the fixing seat  201  according to an exemplary embodiment, while  FIG. 10   c  is a perspective view of the fixing seat  201  shown in  FIGS. 10   a - 10   b.    
         [0048]    As shown in  FIG. 10   c , a plurality of bolt poles  201   a  are formed on the side of the fixing seat  201  that is far away (i.e., generally opposite) from the hoses  204 . Bolts  208  sequentially extend through the small holes  202   b  on the front fixing member  202 , the small holes  203   b  on the rear fixing member  203 , and are then tightened into the holes or apertures  201   b  in the bolt poles  201   a , thereby mutually fixing or coupling the front fixing member  202 , the rear fixing member  203 , and the fixing seat  201 . 
         [0049]    According to an exemplary embodiment, ribs are formed on a front portion of the base  205  (i.e., opposite the hoses  204 ), which correspond to grooves inside a socket of the nozzle  400  for engagement therewith. The ribs enter the nozzle socket during installation for easy positioning. Moreover, a rearward portion of the base  205  is locked and fixed with the nozzle socket via a locking device. 
         [0050]      FIG. 11  is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating the installation relationship between all parts of the jet pipe apparatus  200  according to an exemplary embodiment.  FIG. 11  illustrates the relative positions of various parts of the jet pipe apparatus, as described above, such as the relative positions of the nozzle  400 , the front fixing member  202 , the rear fixing member  203 , and the fixing seat  201 .