Patent Publication Number: US-10322420-B2

Title: Pressing waterway switch device and shower head

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the field of pressing switching water outlet, especially to a pressing waterway switch device and shower. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The existing shower in the market normally can perform varieties of water outlet function by selection, such as shower spray, massage spray, combining massage spray and massage spray together and so on, most of them accomplish outlet switching function by rotating the shower panel, or installing button switching mechanism, rotating switching mechanism or swing switching mechanism to accomplish outlet switching function. Among these, button switching is prevalently favored by the users cause its easy and straightforward operation. Presently, one of the button switching structure to switch shower function is designed to a button cooperated with two groups of ratchets in transmission way, and both two groups of ratchets are coupled in the water cavity of the body, however, several disadvantages of the above switching structure are as following: much more components cooperating with each other will enlarge structural error resulted in unstable working status; both of two groups of ratchets are invisible, and that will lead to not convenient to control, maintenance, disassembly and assembly. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is provided with a pressing waterway switch device and shower, to overcome the disadvantages of existing pressing switching structure in prior art. 
     One technical solution to the above technical problems for the present invention is: 
     a pressing waterway switch device, comprising a fixed housing and a pressing switch mechanism, the fixed housing being capable of making water outlet in at least two functions or two modes, the pressing switch mechanism comprises: 
     a button; 
     a switching component in rotary connection with the fixed housing comprising a water diversion plate arranged in the fixed housing and a rotating shaft which is coaxially connected with the water diversion plate and stretches out of the fixed housing from a through hole in a sealing manner, the water diversion plate rotating with respect to the fixed housing for accomplishing certain water outlet function or switching water outlet mode; 
     a transmission component being in transmission activation with the button and being connected to the rotating shaft while fixed out of the fixed housing, and a first transmission structure being arranged between the transmission component and the outer wall of the fixed housing, when the is button pressed, the transmission component and the switching component performing axial motion and rotate in preset angle under the impact of the first transmission structure; all or part of the button, the driving piece and the switching component being all or part of connected with an elastic piece which is used for storing energy when the button is pressed. 
     a second transmission structure is correspondingly arranged between the water diversion plate of the switching component and the inner wall of the fixed housing, when the button released, said elastic piece will release its energy to urge the transmission component and the switching component to axially return to their original position and maintain rotating in preset angle under the impact of the second transmission structure. 
     In another preferred embodiment, said first transmission structure comprises several first ratchets which are circumferentially disposed on said transmission component at interval as well as several second ratchets disposed on the outer wall of said fixed housing at interval along circumferential direction around said through hole to mesh with the first ratchets, when said elastic piece releases its energy, the first ratchets will detach from the second ratchets with staggered position against each other. 
     In another preferred embodiment, said second transmission structure comprises several third ratchets which are circumferentially disposed on said water diversion plate at interval as well as several fourth ratchets disposed on the inner wall of said fixed housing at interval along circumferential direction around said through hole to mesh with the third ratchets, when said elastic piece stores its energy, the third ratchets will detach from the fourth ratchets with staggered position against each other. 
     In another preferred embodiment, said button is movably connected to the outer side ( 2 -c in  FIG. 6 ) of said fixed housing, a spring bead is installed on said fixed housing near the side of said button, when said button is pressed, the spring bead will be pushed and extruded from the side at the same time. 
     In another preferred embodiment, the quantity of said elastic piece is set one and said elastic piece is set to be a spring which is disposed between said water diversion plate and said fixed housing and pushes against each other. In another preferred embodiment, at least two water outlet channels and an inlet cavity with inlet hole are arranged in said fixed housing to accomplish said water outlet mode, and at least two groups of first water-through holes are circumferentially disposed on the fixed housing, each group of first water-through holes comprise more than one water-through hole, the at least two groups of first water-through holes are connected to the inlet cavity and are corresponding to and communicated with at least two water outlet channels respectively, said water diversion plate can make each group of first water-through holes be functional of water outlet simultaneously or selectively by its rotation with respect to the fixed housing. 
     In another preferred embodiment, said fixed housing comprises an upper cover, a lower cover and a base, the upper cover and the lower cover are fixed with each other to form said at least two water outlet channels, the lower cover is disposed with at least two groups of first water-through holes, the lower cover and the base are fixed with each other to enclose said inlet cavity; said water diversion plate is set in the inlet cavity and cooperates with the inner wall of the lower cover (i.e., the inner side  1 -a of the lower cover) to form said second transmission structure, the water diversion plate can rotate with respect to the lower cover; said upper cover and lower cover are respectively provided with said through hole, said transmission component cooperates with the outer wall ( 2 -a) of the upper cover to form said first transmission structure. 
     In another preferred embodiment, said water diversion plate is set in cam structure while its rotating can make each group of first water-through holes be functional of water outlet simultaneously or selectively, or, said water diversion plate is disposed with more than one dividing hole, the rotation of said water diversion plate can make the dividing holes communicate with each group of the first water-through holes in switch manner or in simultaneous way. In another preferred embodiment, also comprises a sealing cushion which is provided with at least two groups of second water-through holes corresponding to and communicating with each group of said first water-through holes, as well as comprises a center hole set for said rotating shaft passing through, said sealing cushion is installed at the inner side of said lower cover, when said button is released, said water diversion plate would be tightly attached to the sealing cushion. 
     In another preferred embodiment, a shaft hole is disposed at the inner bottom side of said base, the bottom end of said rotating shaft is movably connected to and inserts in the shaft hole; a sealing ring is coupled to said rotating shaft to seal the gap between said rotating shaft and said upper cover. In another preferred embodiment, said base is extending upwardly with a support bracket, one end of said button is pivotally connected to the support bracket with a pivot pin. 
     In another preferred embodiment, said fixed housing is set to be a shower housing with at least two water outlet function and disposed with at least two groups of water-through holes in circumferential direction, each group of water-through holes comprises more than one water-through hole, the at least two groups of water-through holes are connected to the inlet cavity of the shower housing and are corresponding to the at least two water outlet function of the shower housing respectively, said water diversion plate can make each group of water-through holes be functional of water outlet simultaneously or selectively by its rotation with respect to the shower housing. 
     A shower, comprises a shower body which is provided with at least two water outlet function, also comprises said pressing waterway switch device, said fixed housing is provided with at least two water outlet modes which are corresponding to each water outlet function respectively, the pressing waterway switch device is installed in the shower body with the button disposed outside. Comparing to the existing known technology, the technical solution of the present invention has advantages as follows: 
     The pressing waterway switch device of present invention not only can perform the function of water outlet or the outlet mode switching function easily and stably, but also designing with said transmission component to make the first transmission structure cooperate to the outer side of the fixed housing therefore generating following advantages: simplified quantities of important components in transmission process in order to reduce structural error and enhance working stability; the transmission structure is partially visible to enhance convenience to control, maintenance, disassembly and assembly; the first transmission structure and second transmission structure are disposed at two ends of rotating shaft respectively to make better balance of the rotating shaft for water sealing. Moreover, the present invention integrally is with less components, as well as with more simple structure and lower cost; only one elastic piece can accomplish the function so that less operation power is needed for pressing the button; the whole structure is contact to work in more stable and reliable status. 
     The present invention will be further described with following drawings and the embodiments to make the present invention more clear and well-known, the embodiments of the pressing waterway switch device of the present invention is used to describe the present invention but not to limit the scope of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an exploded and schematic diagram of the pressing waterway switch device of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a schematic diagram of the transmission component of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a schematic diagram of the switching component of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a schematic diagram of the lower cover of the present invention from front side. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a schematic diagram of the lower cover of the present invention from back side. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a block diagram of the pressing waterway switch device of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a top view of the pressing waterway switch device of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates an A-A sectional diagram of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a diagram of changeable motion of the pressing waterway switch device of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a top view of the pressing waterway switch device of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a B-B sectional diagram of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a C-C sectional diagram of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 13  illustrates an exploded of the shower of the present invention. 
         FIG. 14  illustrates a top view of the shower of the present invention. 
         FIG. 15  illustrates a D-D sectional diagram of  FIG. 14 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Embodiment 1 
     Please referring to  FIGS. 1 ˜ 12 , a pressing waterway switch device of the invention, comprises a fixed housing and a pressing switch mechanism, the fixed housing is disposed with two water outlet channels  1 - 5 , 1 - 6  corresponding to three kinds of water outlet modes. Herein, the water outlet mode is defined to be a kind of combination of the water outlet channel in the state of circulation when water outlet going through the fixed housing, that is specified that: the first kind of water outlet mode is that water outlet from water outlet channels  1 - 5 , the second kind of water outlet mode is that water outlet from another water outlet channels  1 - 6 , the third kind of water outlet mode is that water outlet from both water outlet channels  1 - 5  and  1 - 6 . 
     The pressing switch mechanism comprises: 
     The button  6  is movably connected to the fixed housing; 
     The switching component  7  is in rotary connection with the fixed housing, the switching component  7  comprises a water diversion plate  71  arranged in the fixed housing as well as a rotating shaft  72  which is coaxially connected with the water diversion plate  71 , the rotating shaft  72  stretches out of the inner cavity of the fixed housing from a through hole in a sealing manner; the water diversion plate  71  can rotate with respect to the fixed housing to accomplish outlet function or change water outlet mode in switch manner; In this embodiment, the water diversion plate  71  and the rotating shaft  72  are in integral formation, additionally, it also can take the inserting way to connect the water diversion plate  71  and the rotating shaft  72  in same axial between each other. 
     The transmission component  8  is in transmission activation with the button  6 , transmission component  8  is connected to the rotating shaft  72  while fixed out of the fixed housing, specifically, an oblate hole  8 - 2  is disposed in the center of transmission component  8 , top of the rotating shaft  72  is with an oblate shaft structure  72 - 1  which can perform motion synchronously with the oblate hole  8 - 2  after being inserted in; a first transmission structure is arranged between the transmission component  8  and the outer wall of the fixed housing  2 -a′, when the button  6  pressed, the transmission component  8  and the switching component  7  can perform axial motion and rotate in preset angle under the impact of the first transmission structure; all or part of the button  6 , transmission component  8  and the switching component  7  are all or part of connected with an elastic piece which is used for storing energy when the button  6  is pressed; 
     A second transmission structure is correspondingly arranged between the water diversion plate  71  of the switching component  7  and the inner wall of the fixed housing  1 -a′, when the button  6  released, said elastic piece will release its energy to urge the transmission component  8  and the switching component  7  to axially return to their original position and maintain rotating in preset angle under the impact of the second transmission structure. 
     In this embodiment, as  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2  shown, said first transmission structure comprises several first ratchets  8 - 1  which are circumferentially disposed on said transmission component  8  at interval as well as several second ratchets  2 - 2  disposed on the outer wall of said fixed housing at interval along circumferential direction around said through hole to mesh with the first ratchets  8 - 1 , when said elastic piece releases its energy, the first ratchets  8 - 1  will detach from the second ratchets  2 - 2  with staggered position against each other. The above mentioned that the transmission component  8  and the switching component  7  can rotate in preset angle under the impact of the first transmission structure means that: the first ratchets  8 - 1  will gradually go meshing with the second ratchets  2 - 2  when the transmission component  8  performs axial motion, then in the result of urging the transmission component  8  and the switching component  7  to rotate in preset angle. 
     In this embodiment, as  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 5  shown, said second transmission structure comprises several third ratchets  71 - 1  which are circumferentially disposed on said water diversion plate  71  at interval as well as several fourth ratchets  1 - 4  disposed on the inner wall of said fixed housing at interval along circumferential direction around said through hole to mesh with the third ratchets  71 - 1 , when said elastic piece stores its energy, the third ratchets will detach from the fourth ratchets with staggered position against each other. The above mentioned that the transmission component  8  and the switching component  7  can axially return to their original position and maintain rotating in preset angle under the impact of the second transmission structure, means that: the third ratchets  71 - 1  will gradually go meshing with the fourth ratchets  1 - 4  when switching component  7  axially return to their original position, then in the result of urging the transmission component  8  and the switching component  7  to maintain rotating in preset angle. 
     In this embodiment, a spring bead is installed on said fixed housing near the side ( 6 -a) of said button  6 , when said button  6  is pressed, the spring bead will be pushed and extruded from the side at the same time. The spring bead is specifically including a spring bead support bracket  3 , a small spring  4  and a spring bead  5 , the spring bead  5  is installed on the support bracket  3  and is capable of making motion axially, the small spring  4  is disposed between the spring bead  5  and the inner side of the support bracket  3  and pushes against each other. 
     In this embodiment, an inlet cavity with inlet hole  12 - 1  are arranged in said fixed housing, two groups of first water-through holes  1 - 2 ,  1 - 3  are circumferentially disposed on the fixed housing, each group of first water-through holes comprise more two water-through holes, the two groups of first water-through holes  1 - 2 ,  1 - 3  are connected to the inlet cavity and are corresponding to and communicated with the two water outlet channels  1 - 5 ,  1 - 6  respectively, the water diversion plate  71  can make each group of first water-through holes be functional of water outlet simultaneously or selectively by its rotation with respect to the fixed housing. Herein, the two water-through holes of each group of first water-through holes are arranged beside each other in circumferential direction, so, the four water-through holes are disposed at even interval in circumferential direction. Moreover, it is applicable that the two water-through holes of each group of first water-through holes are arranged in radial direction; The quantity of each group of first water-through holes could be set to one, or more than three (note: “more than #” mentioned in this content means includes the number # itself). 
     In this embodiment, said fixed housing comprises an upper cover  2 , a lower cover  1  and a base  12 , the upper cover  2  and the lower cover  1  are fixed with each other (specifically, the upper cover  2  and the lower cover  1  are fixed with each other in the way of ultrasonic wielding), and form said two water outlet channels  1 - 5 ,  1 - 6 , the lower cover  1  is disposed with two groups of first water-through holes  1 - 2 ,  1 - 3 , the lower cover  1  and the base  12  are fixed with each other (specifically, the lower cover  1  and the base  12  are fixed with each other in the way of screw locking and an O shape ring  14  is cooperated with each other for sealing between the lower cover  1  and the base  12 ), the lower cover  1  and the base  12  enclose said inlet cavity, the inlet hole  12 - 1  of said inlet cavity is arranged on the base  12 ; said water diversion plate  71  is set in the inlet cavity. The upper cover  2  and the lower cover  1  are respectively provided with said through hole  2 - 1 ,  1 - 1  to let said rotating shaft  72  go through, and a V shape sealing ring  9  is coupled on the top of said rotating shaft  72 , an annular groove is arranged on lower cover  1  at the position corresponding to inner side of its through hole  2 - 1 , the sealing ring  9  is set in the annular groove to seal the gap between said rotating shaft  72  and said upper cover  2 . The invention also comprises a sealing cushion  10 , the sealing cushion  10  is provided with two groups of second water-through holes  10 - 1 ,  10 - 2  corresponding to and communicating with each group of said first water-through holes, the sealing cushion  10  is installed at the inner side of the lower cover  1 , when said button  6  is released, said water diversion plate  71  would be tightly attached to the sealing cushion  10 , the sealing cushion  10  is used to seal the gap ( 71 -b) between said water diversion plate  71  and the lower cover  1 . The outer side of the upper cover  2  is disposed with said four second ratchets  2 - 2  in circumferential direction around its through hole  2 - 1 , the inner side of the lower cover  1  is disposed with said fourth ratchets  1 - 4  in circumferential direction around its through hole  1 - 1 . The spring bead mentioned above is fixed on the outer side of the upper cover  2  in radial direction along through hole  2 - 1 . 
     In this embodiment, said water diversion plate  71  is set in cam structure while its rotation with respect to the lower cover  1  can make three kinds of motion: close certain group of the first water-through hole  1 - 2  of the lower cover  1 ; close another group of the first water-through hole  1 - 3  of the lower cover  1 ; simultaneously close one water-through hole of both first water-through hole  1 - 2 ,  1 - 3  of the lower cover  1 . Additionally, the water diversion plate  71  can be designed in the shape of round plate disposed with two dividing holes, therefore, the water diversion plate  71  can make three kinds of motion by its rotation with respect to the lower cover  1 : two dividing holes are respectively connected two water-through holes of certain group of the first water-through hole  1 - 2  of the lower cover  1 ; two dividing holes are respectively connected two water-through holes of another group of the first water-through hole  1 - 3  of the lower cover  1 ; two dividing holes are respectively connected two water-through holes of one water-through hole of both first water-through hole  1 - 2 ,  1 - 3  of the lower cover  1 . In this embodiment, a shaft hole  12 - 3  is disposed at the inner bottom side ( 12 -a) of said base  12 , the bottom end ( 72 -a) of said rotating shaft  72  is movably connected to and inserts in the shaft hole  12 - 3 ; the quantity of said elastic piece and to be a spring  13 , which is disposed between said water diversion plate  71  and the inner bottom side of base  12  and pushes against each other, moreover, the spring  13  can be also disposed between the transmission component  8  and the upper cover  2 . Said base  12  is extending upwardly with a support bracket  12 - 2 , one end of said button  6  is pivotally connected to the support bracket  12 - 2  with a pivot pin  11 . Additionally, said button  6  also can be directly movably connected to the upper cover  2  or installed on the shower body mentioned as follow. 
     The pressing waterway switch device of the invention, the working process of the pressing switch mechanism is that: 
     Pressing the button  6 , then the button  6  would urge transmission component  8  and the switching component  7  to axially do motion downwardly, meanwhile, the button  6  would extrude the spring bead  5  from the side like the feeling of pushing gear; 
     When the transmission component  8  and the switching component  7  axially do motion downwardly, the spring  13  will be compressed to store energy, meanwhile each first ratchet  8 - 1  of the transmission component  8  will gradually mesh with each second ratchet  2 - 2  of the upper cover  2  correspondingly, to make the transmission component  8  and the switching component  7  rotate along the clockwise direction in half gear position&#39;s angle (to be 45°), as well as, each third ratchet  71 - 1  of the water diversion plate  71  will detach from the fourth ratchets  1 - 4  of the lower cover  1 ; 
     Releasing the button  6 , then the spring  13  would release energy, to urge the button  6 , the transmission component  8  and the switching component  7  to return to original place axially (axially do motion upwardly), on the one hand, each first ratchet  8 - 1  of the transmission component  8  will detach from each second ratchet  2 - 2  of the upper cover  2 , on the other hand, each third ratchet  71 - 1  of the water diversion plate  71  will gradually mesh with the fourth ratchets  1 - 4  of the lower cover  1 , to make the transmission component  8  and the switching component  7  keep rotating along the clockwise direction in half gear position&#39;s angle (to be 45°). 
     Combining the above two half gear position&#39;s angle together, means that, in the process of pressing the button  6  then releasing, the water diversion plate  71  will rotate in a full gear position&#39;s angle (to be 90°) with respect to the lower cover  1 , meanwhile make two groups of first water-through holes  1 - 2 ,  1 - 3  of the lower cover  1  be functional of water outlet simultaneously or selectively. 
     When the water diversion plate  71  rotate with respect to the lower cover  1 , it will accomplish four different states of motion, the changing process of four states of motion is shown as  FIG. 9 , the original state is assumed that: the water diversion plate  71  closes certain group of the first water-through hole  1 - 2  of the lower cover  1 , and opens another group of the first water-through hole  1 - 3  of the lower cover  1 , at this time, the outlet status of another group of the first water-through hole  1 - 3  of the lower cover  1  and the corresponding water outlet channel  1 - 6  as shown in  FIG. 12 ; after first time of pressing the button  6  then releasing, the state is changing to that: the water diversion plate  71  closes one water-through hole of both first water-through hole  1 - 2 ,  1 - 3  of the lower cover  1 , and opens another water-through hole of both first water-through hole  1 - 2 ,  1 - 3  of the lower cover  1 ; after second time of pressing the button  6  then releasing, the state is changing to that: the water diversion plate  71  closes another group of first water-through hole  1 - 3  of the lower cover  1  and opens certain group of the first water-through hole  1 - 2  of the lower cover  1 , at this time, the outlet status of certain group of the first water-through hole  1 - 2  of the lower cover  1  and the corresponding water outlet channel  1 - 5  as shown in  FIG. 11 ; after third time of pressing the button  6  then releasing, the water diversion plate  71  closes one water-through hole of both first water-through hole  1 - 2 ,  1 - 3  of the lower cover  1 , and opens another water-through hole of both first water-through hole  1 - 2 ,  1 - 3  of the lower cover  1 ; after fourth time of pressing the button  6  then releasing, the water diversion plate  71  returns to its original state: closes certain group of the first water-through hole  1 - 2  of the lower cover  1 , and opens another group of the first water-through hole  1 - 3  of the lower cover  1 . 
     The pressing waterway switch device of the invention, the ratchets mentioned as above can be also called oblique tooth, moreover, said first transmission structure and second transmission structure is not limited to the structure mentioned in this embodiment. Said water outlet channels is not limited in two, said first water through hole is not limited in two groups. Please referring to  FIGS. 13 ˜ 15 , a shower of the invention, comprises a shower body  20  and the pressing waterway switch device mentioned as above, said fixed housing is provided with at least two water outlet modes which are corresponding to each water outlet function respectively, the pressing waterway switch device is installed in the shower body with the button disposed outside, shower body  20  is provided with three kinds of water outlet function, which are respectively corresponding to the water outlet modes of the above pressing waterway switch device  30 , the pressing waterway switch device  30  is installed in the shower body  20  with the button  6  disposed outside. 
     Specifically, said shower body comprises a handle and an outer case  22  on the outlet rear cover, inlet tube  23  and cover assembly  21 , the cover assembly  21  is designed to be functional for two kinds of water outlet (this embodiment will not describe the structure of the cover assembly  21  in detailed cause it belongs to prior art), in this embodiment, the kind of outlet function is defined to be certain spray mode of water outlet every time from the shower, the two kinds of outlet function is specified that: shower spray function and massage spray function, and the third kind of outlet function is accomplished by shower spray combined with massage spray together, the cover assembly  21  is fixed to the outlet rear cover outer of the outer case  22 , the pressing waterway switch device  30  is installed in the cavity enclosed by the cover assembly  21  and the outer case  22 , and the two outlet channels  1 - 5 ,  1 - 6  are cooperated with the cover assembly  21  to accomplish two kinds of outlet function (such as shower spray, massage spray) by being corresponding to and communicating with the outlet holes or the outlet cavity. The cover assembly  21  is provided with an accommodation hole  21 - 1  to accommodate the button  6  to make the button  6  disposed outside the show body  20  for easy operation. The inlet tube  23  is installed in the handle cavity of the outer case  22  and is connected to the inlet hole  12 - 1  of the pressing waterway switch device  30 . 
     For the shower of the invention, it&#39;s convenient and force-saving in operation, because just only pressing the button  6  can make the outlet function changed. 
     For the shower of the invention, not only can be a hand-held shower, but also can be a kitchen shower, top-spray shower (or called head shower, sunflower shower or so on). 
     Embodiment 2 
     For the pressing waterway switch device of the invention, the difference from the embodiment 1 is that: the fixed housing is set to be a showing housing, that means, the pressing waterway switch device is a shower by itself, it can be a hand-held shower, a kitchen shower or a top-spray shower with at least two outlet function (same as or similar with embodiment 1), an insulation board is disposed at inner side with at least two groups of water-through hole arranged along circumferential direction, each group of water-through holes comprises more than one water-through hole, the at least two groups of water-through holes are connected to the inlet cavity of the shower housing and are corresponding to the at least two water outlet function of the shower housing respectively. Meanwhile, said second ratchet can be disposed at the outer side of the shower housing, said fourth ratchet can be disposed on the insulation board for switching outlet function by urging the water diversion plate  71  to rotate with the respect to the insulation board. 
     Although the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof for carrying out the patent for invention, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that a variety of modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the patent for invention which is intended to be defined by the appended claims.