Patent Publication Number: US-2023158516-A1

Title: Easy-to-switch water outflow device

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202111397988.6, filed on Nov. 19, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure relates to a shower device, and in particular to an easy-to-switch water outflow device. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     With the continuous improvement of people&#39;s quality of life, the requirements on showering are also continuously increasing. The traditional water outflow device with only a single functional water spray has gradually evolved into a water outflow with different functional water sprays (such as shower water, bubble water, massage water and mist water, etc.). For the water outflow device with multiple functional water sprays, a water channel switching device is required to realize the switching of different functional water sprays. The most common practice on the market is to provide at least one water outlet on a body of the water outflow device that communicates with an external water channel, and to provide several water collecting chambers whose water channels are isolated from each other in a water outflow assembly. Each of the water collecting chambers corresponds to a water outflow terminal pre-arranged on a water outflow end face of the water outflow assembly to realize a specific functional water spray; at the same time, at least one water inlet communicating with the corresponding water collecting chamber is provided on an end face of the water outflow assembly on a side facing the water outlet; by rotationally adjusting the relative positional relationship between the water outflow assembly and the body in a circumferential direction, the water outlet on the body can be selectively docked with the water inlet on the water outflow assembly, so as to conduct the water channels of the multiple functional water sprays. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the present disclosure is to provide a water outflow device for a multi-functional water spray. By changing the structure of a water channel switching device of the water outflow device, it is easier for the water outflow device to perform water channel switching, and the water outflow device can have a long service life. 
     In order to achieve the above object, the present disclosure provides a water outflow device, which includes: 
     a body, on which an accommodating chamber is formed, a water inflow terminal communicating with an external water source being formed in the accommodating chamber; 
     a water outflow assembly, which is fixedly installed on the accommodating chamber of the body, and which is at least capable of spraying out two different functional water sprays, in which for each of the functional water sprays, the water outflow assembly is provided with at least one water inlet communicating with a water channel of the functional water spray on an end face of the water outflow assembly on a side facing the body; the water outflow assembly is provided with a through pivoting passage at a position corresponding to the water inflow terminal, and the pivoting passage is isolated from water channels in the water outflow assembly; and 
     a water channel switching device, which includes a water distribution valve spool, a connecting rod and a switching handle; in which the water distribution valve spool is a cylindrical member; the water distribution valve spool is located between the accommodating chamber of the body and the water outflow assembly, and the water distribution valve spool is formed with a water inflow passage that can be rotationally docked with the water inflow terminal on an end face on a side facing the accommodating chamber, and is formed with at least one water outlet on the other end face; water from the external water source flows into the water distribution valve spool through the water inflow terminal and the water inflow passage in sequence, and flows out through the water outlet; the switching handle is arranged on an outer end face of the water outflow assembly; the connecting rod is built in the pivoting passage, with one end of the connecting rod being fixedly connected to the water distribution valve spool, and the other end of the connecting rod being fixedly connected to the switching handle; by driving the switching handle to swing circumferentially around a central axis X of the pivoting passage, the water outlet of the water distribution valve spool can be selectively docked with the water inlet of the water outflow assembly so that the water channel is conducted, thereby realizing the switching of water channels of different functional water sprays of the water outflow device. 
     By adopting the above design, in the water outflow device of the present disclosure, the water outflow assembly is fixedly installed on the accommodating chamber of the body, and by adding a water distribution valve spool between the body and the water outflow assembly, the water selectively flows to the water inlet of the water outflow assembly through the water outlet of the water distribution valve spool, and is sprayed outward after passing through the water accommodating chamber of the water outflow assembly. Since the amount of water that can be accumulated in the water distribution valve spool is much lower than the amount of water accumulated in the water outflow assembly, which makes the water pressure inside the water distribution valve spool lower than the water pressure in the water outflow assembly, a smaller pushing force can be used to drive the water distribution valve spool to rotate in the circumferential direction through the switching handle so as to realize the switching of the water channel. In addition, the water outflow assembly of the present disclosure is fixedly arranged on the body and does not rotate relative to the body. It is always in a relatively stable state, thus avoiding the previous situation of wear of internal fasteners or connectors caused by rotating the water outflow assembly, which would otherwise shorten the service life; whereas the water channel switching method of the common water outflow devices needs to rotate the entire water outflow assembly, so that the different water inlets on the water outflow assembly are docked with the water outlet of the body respectively to realize the water channel switching. However, when using this method to switch water channels, the water collecting chamber inside the water outflow assembly bears a certain water pressure, especially when the size of the water outflow device is relatively large, such as having a diameter of more than 6 inches, in which case the water pressure is relatively large, thus causing the water outflow assembly to be labor-consuming when rotating for switching; at the same time, since the water outflow assembly is often rotated, and the overall area and weight of the water outflow assembly are both relatively large, it is easy to cause mutual wear between the water outflow assembly and the body, so that there is a gap when docking the water outlet of the body with the water inlet of the water outflow assembly, which leads to water leakage and shortens the overall service life of the product; however, the water channel switching device of the water outflow device provided in the present disclosure well solves these technical problems. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The specific description given as a non-limiting example better explains what the present disclosure includes and how it can be carried out; moreover, the description is set forth with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG.  1    is a first schematic partial exploded view of a water outflow device of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  2    is a second schematic partial exploded view of the water outflow device of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  3    is a cross sectional view of the water outflow device of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  4    is a schematic exploded view of a water distribution valve spool of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  5    is a schematic exploded view of the water outflow device of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG.  6    is a schematic assembly view of the water outflow device of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT(S) OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. 
     Throughout the claims and the description, unless otherwise defined, terms “first”, “second” and the like are used to distinguish different objects, rather than describing a specific order. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  1  to  6   , a water outflow device includes a body  1 , a water outflow assembly  2  and a water channel switching device  3 . 
     The body  1  may be the body of a hand-held shower head or the body of a top-spout shower head, an accommodating chamber  11  is formed on the body  1 , and an inner wall of the accommodating chamber  11  forms a water collecting trough  12  that communicates with an external water source. An outer end of the water collecting trough  12  is fixedly connected with a water blocking cover plate  13 . In this embodiment, the water blocking cover plate  13  and the body  1  are of a split design. Of course, it cannot be excluded that with the improvement of the production process in the future, such as the popularization of 3D printing technology, the water blocking cover plate  13  and the body  1  can be integrally formed. On the water blocking cover plate  13 , a water-passing protrusion extends outward and communicates with the water channel in the water collecting trough  12 , and the water-passing protrusion is a water inflow terminal  131 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  2   , the water outflow assembly  2  is fixedly installed on the accommodating chamber  11  of the body  1 . As shown in  FIG.  5   , the water outflow assembly  2  includes a water distribution assembly  23  and a water outflow panel assembly  24  that are fixedly connected to each other. The water distribution assembly  23  and the water outflow panel assembly  24  are formed with pivoting passages  22  communicating with each other at a position corresponding to the water inflow terminal  131 . More specifically, the water distribution assembly  23  includes a water distribution disc  23   a  and a water blocking sheet  23   b  in sequence from the inside to the outside in an axial direction. The water distribution disc  23   a  and the water blocking sheet  23   b  are snap-fitted and fixedly connected to each other, so that an inner chamber thereof forms at least two second water accommodating chambers  232  whose water channels are isolated from each other. In this embodiment, there are formed four second water accommodating chambers  232  whose water channels are isolated from each other. A side of the water distribution disc  23  that faces the accommodating chamber  11  is a water inflow end face, and an end face of the water blocking sheet  23   b  on a side away from the water distribution disc  23   a  is a water outflow end face. Each of the second water accommodating chambers  232  is provided with at least one water inlet  21  on the water inflow end face at the corresponding position, which communicates with the water channel thereof; at the same time, each of the second water accommodating chambers  232  is provided with at least one water-passing hole  25  on the water outflow end face at the corresponding position, which communicates with the water channel thereof. In this embodiment, two water inlets  21  are preferably arranged symmetrically on each of the second water accommodating chambers  232  (as shown in  FIG.  1   ). By increasing a through-flow area of the water inlet  21  of each second water accommodating chamber  232 , a flow rate flowing into each second water accommodating chamber  232  is increased. The water outflow panel assembly  24  includes a water outflow rubber pad  24   a  and a water outflow surface cover  24   b  in sequence from the inside to the outside in the axial direction. The water outflow rubber pad  24   a  is provided with a plurality of first water outflow protrusions  241   a,  and each of the first water outflow protrusions  241   a  has a water-passing hole formed thereon. The water outflow surface cover  24   b  is formed with a plurality of fifth through-holes  241   b  at positions corresponding to the first water outflow protrusions  241   a.  In this embodiment, the water outflow rubber pad  24   a  is embedded in an inner end face of the water outflow surface cover  24   b  through the injection molding process; at the same time, the first water outflow protrusions  241   a  of the water outflow rubber pad  24   a  protrude from the corresponding fifth through-holes  241   b  of the water outflow surface cover  24   b  (the diameter of the fifth through-holes  241   b  is smaller than an outer diameter of the first water outflow protrusions  241   a  at this time; but an indented annular groove  2411   a  is formed at the bottom of the first water outflow protrusion  241   a,  and the annular groove  2411   a  is used to be fitted to the fifth through-hole  241   b ). Of course, the injection molding process is not the only way to join the water outflow rubber pad with the water outflow surface cover. Conventionally, through-holes may also be reserved on the water outflow surface cover, which match with the first water outflow protrusions on the water outflow rubber pad, so that the first water outflow protrusions can directly protrude out of the through-holes. The first water outflow protrusions  241   a  form a part of a first water outflow terminal group  240   a.  In this embodiment, the first water outflow terminal group  240   a  also includes two kinds of water outflow holes with different shapes, such as a racetrack-shaped design and a triangular prism-shaped design; at the same time, the water outflow surface cover  24   b  is further additionally provided with a number of second water outflow terminal group  240   b,  third water outflow terminal group  240   c  and fourth water outflow terminal group  240   d  capable of producing different functional water sprays. The above water outflow terminal groups  240   a,    240   b,    240   c  and  240   d  can only communicate with the correspondingly arranged water-passing holes  25  of the second water accommodating chamber  232 , so as to generate specific functional water sprays, so that the water outflow surface cover  24   b  can spray out four different functional water sprays, such as shower water sprays, bubble water sprays, waterfall sprays and columnar water sprays; however, the specific water sprays formed by different water outflow terminal groups are not the focus of protection of the present disclosure, and the generation mechanism of the above-mentioned different functional water sprays is a conventional technical means, which will not be described in detail here. In short, through the different water outflow terminal groups  240   a,    240   b,    240   c  and  240   d  on the water outflow panel assembly  24 , different functional water sprays can be generated. More preferably, in general, in order to make the entire water outflow device have a better industrial design aesthetic, a decorative surface cover  8  is further fixed on an outer end face of the water outflow surface cover  24   b.  As shown in  FIG.  5   , the decorative surface cover  8  is provided with a third through-hole  81  at a position corresponding to a second through-hole  242 , and is provided with a plurality of matching fourth through-holes  82  at positions corresponding to the water outflow terminal groups  240   a,    240   b,    240   c,  and  240   d.    
     As shown in  FIG.  4   , the water channel switching device  3  includes a water distribution valve spool  31 , a connecting rod  32  and a switching handle  33 ; the water distribution valve spool  31  is a cylindrical member, which is located between the accommodating chamber  11  of the body  1  and the water distribution disc  23 ; the water distribution valve spool  31  includes an upper cover  311 , a valve spool body  312  and two water-passing rubber pads  313 . The upper cover  311  is fixedly arranged on an upper end of the valve spool body  312 , and the upper cover  311  is provided with a first through-hole  3111 . The first through-hole is a water inflow passage  3111 , into which the water inflow terminal  131  can be inserted. A sealing ring  4  is arranged between the water inflow terminal  131  and an abutting inner wall of the first through-hole  3111 , and the water distribution valve spool  31  can rotate in the circumferential direction relative to the water-passing protrusion  131 . It should be noted that, it is not necessary that the water inflow terminal  131  (i.e., the water-passing protrusion) is formed on the water blocking cover plate  13  and the first through-hole is formed on the upper cover  311 . As long as the two form a pivotal connection, so that the water distribution valve spool  31  can rotate in the circumferential direction relative to the water-passing protrusion, any arrangement will fall within the scope of protection of the present disclosure. For example, the first through-hole is arranged on the water blocking cover plate  13 , and the first through-hole communicates with the water collecting trough  12  of the body  1 ; the water inflow terminal  131  (i.e., the water-passing protrusion) is arranged on the upper cover  311  at a position corresponding to the first through-hole; the water-passing protrusion and the through-hole cooperate so that the water distribution valve spool  31  can rotate relative to the first through-hole of the water blocking cover plate  13 . 
     Preferably, as shown in  FIG.  2    and  FIG.  4   , two stoppers  3113  extend outward on diametrical ends of the upper cover  311 , and the water blocking cover plate  13  is provided with a limiting block  132  on an outer side relative to the diametrical ends of the upper cover  311 . When the water distribution valve spool  31  rotates, the limiting block  132  can abut against the two stoppers  3113  of the upper cover  311  respectively for limiting. Through such a structural arrangement, a rotation between the water distribution valve spool  31  and the water blocking cover plate  13  is limited within a reasonable range. 
     As shown in  FIG.  2    and  FIG.  4   , a positioning elastic post  6  is additionally provided between the upper cover  311  and the water blocking cover plate  13 . A plurality of positioning countersunk holes  3112  are circumferentially distributed on the upper cover  311  with the first through-hole  3111  as the center. The positioning elastic post  6  can switch between the positioning countersunk holes  3112  and a positioning sound can be generated, prompting the user to adjust the different water outflow states of the water outflow device. 
     An inner chamber of the valve spool body  312  forms a first water accommodating chamber  3121 , and the valve spool body  312  is symmetrically provided with two water outlets  3131  with the pivoting passage  22  as a central axis X. The two water outlets  3131  communicate with the first water accommodating chamber  3121 . Correspondingly, for each functional water spray, two water inlets  21  are provided on the water inflow end face of the water distribution disc  23 . The two water inlets  21  can be docked and communicated with the two water outlets  3131  of the valve spool body  312 . The specific implementation is shown in  FIG.  4   . An end face of the valve spool body  312  on a side away from the upper cover  311  is formed with two accommodating grooves  3122 , and each accommodating groove  3122  is provided therein with a water-passing through-hole  3123  communicating with the first water accommodating chamber  3121  of the valve spool body  312 . The water-passing rubber pads  313  are placed in the accommodating grooves  3122 , and a water outlet  3131  is provided on each water-passing rubber pad  313 . Water from the external water source flows into the first water accommodating chamber  3121  of the valve spool body  312  through the water inflow terminal  131  and the first through-hole (the water inflow passage  3111 ) in sequence, and flows out through the water outlets  3131  of the two water-passing rubber pads  313 . The water outlets  3131  are selectively docked and communicated with the water inlets  21  of the water distribution disc  23 , thereby realizing the water channel switching of different functional water sprays of the water outflow device. In addition, the water-passing rubber pads  313  ensure the water outlets  3131  of the water-passing rubber pads  313  and the water inlets  21  of the water distribution disc  23  are seamlessly connected, that is, to prevent water from flowing out from gaps between the water outlets  3131  and the water inlets  21  docked with them. Preferably, an inwardly-facing end face of the water distribution disc  23  is formed with a concave abutting plane  231  in the area of the water inlets  21 , and the abutting plane  231  is adapted to an outer diameter of the valve spool body  312 . The valve spool body  312  rotates circumferentially relative to the abutting plane  231 , and such a structural arrangement ensures a better tightness of the connection between the water outlets  3131  of the water-passing rubber pads  313  and the water inlets  21  of the water distribution disc  23 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  3   , the connecting rod  32  is built into the pivoting passage  22 , and the connecting rod  32  is integrally formed and fixedly provided on a bottom end face of the valve spool body  312 . A free end of the connecting rod  32  is a non-circular member, and a middle part of the connecting rod  32  is formed with a threaded hole  321 . The switching handle  33  is arranged on an outer end face of the water outflow panel  24  to facilitate the user to operate and drive the switching handle  33 . The switching handle  33  is provided with a sixth through-hole  331  with a blocking edge, and a bolt  5  passes through the sixth through-hole  331  and the threaded hole  321  in sequence from the outside to the inside. An end cap of the bolt  5  abuts against the blocking edge of the sixth through-hole  331  so that the switching handle  33  is fixedly connected to the free end of the connecting rod  32 . Preferably, in order to prevent the end cap of the bolt  5  from being exposed to the outside to affect the appearance, an outer end face of the switching handle  33  is provided with a snap-fit cover cover  9  flush with it. The snap-fit cover  9  is snap-fitted into the sixth through-hole  331 , and an inner end of the snap-fit cover  9  is provided with an avoidance portion  91  for avoiding interference with the end cap of the bolt  5 . When the water outflow device of the present disclosure switches the water channel, the switching handle  33  is driven to swing circumferentially around the central axis X of the pivoting passage  22 , so that the water outlets  3131  of the water distribution valve spool  31  are selectively docked and communicated with the water inlets  21  of the water distribution disc  23 , so as to realize the water channel switching of different functional water sprays of the water outflow device. 
     As shown in  FIG.  5   , an end face of the water distribution disc  23   a  on a side facing the water blocking sheet  23   b  is provided with a column  233  protruding outward at a position corresponding to the connecting rod  32 , and the column  233  is provided with a pivoting passage  22 ; second through-holes  242  communicating with each other are formed on the water blocking sheet  23   b  and the water outflow surface cover  24   b  at positions corresponding to the column  233 , and the column  233  is placed in the second through-holes  242  and partially protrudes out. The switching handle  33  is arranged outside the column  233 , and an annular groove  100  is formed between the free end of the column  233  and the switching handle  33  for placing a wear gasket  7 . When the switching handle  33  swing circumferentially around the central axis X of the pivoting passages  22 , the wear gasket  7  can reduce abrasion between the switching handle  33  and the column  233 . 
     The specific working principle of the present disclosure will be described as follows. 
     By driving the switching handle  33  to swing circumferentially around the central axis X of the pivoting passages  22 , and then driving the water distribution valve spool  31  to rotate synchronously, the two water outlets  3131  of the water distribution valve spool  31  are selectively docked with the two water inlets  21  of the water distribution disc  23 . Water from the external water source flows into the first water accommodating chamber  3121  through the water inflow terminal  131  and the water inflow passage  3111  in sequence, flows into the corresponding water inlets  21  of the water distribution disc  23  through the two water outlets  3131 , and then flows into the corresponding second water accommodating chamber  232 . Different functional water sprays, such as shower water, mist water, blade water, etc., are sprayed out through the corresponding water-passing holes  25  and water outflow terminal groups  240   a,    240   b,    240   c  and  240   d  in sequence; of course, if the hole diameter of each water outlet  3131  of the water distribution valve spool  31  is large enough, by rotating the water distribution valve spool  31 , the water outlets  3131  are docked and communicated with two water inlets  21  with different functional water sprays but adjacent to each other. At this time, the water outflow panel assembly  24  sprays out two different functional water sprays simultaneously, that is, a water outflow form of mixed water. Alternatively, the two water outlets  3131  of the water distribution valve spool  31  are respectively docked and communicated with the water inlets  21  with two different functional waters sprays. At this time, the water outflow panel assembly  24  also sprays out two different functional water sprays simultaneously. 
     With the above design of the water outflow device of the present disclosure, since the water selectively flows toward the water inlets  21  of the water outflow assembly  2  through the water outlets  3131  of the water distribution valve spool  31 , and is sprayed out after passing through the water accommodating chamber of the water outflow assembly  2 , the water pressure in the water distribution valve spool  31  is lower than the water pressure in the water outflow assembly  2  when water is coming out of the water outflow device. Therefore, a smaller pushing force can be used to drive the water distribution valve spool  31  to rotate in the circumferential direction through the switching handle  33 , so as to realize switching of the water channel. At the same time, the water outflow assembly  2  of the present disclosure is fixed on the body  1 , which avoids water leakage caused by the wear of the internal fasteners or connectors due to the rotation of the water outflow assembly in the prior art, which would otherwise shorten the service life. The structural arrangement of the water outflow device of the present disclosure solves this technical problem very well. 
     The above description merely relates to embodiments of the present disclosure, and is not intended to limit the design of the present disclosure. Any equivalent changes made according to key points of the design of the present disclosure will fall within the scope of protection of the present disclosure.