Multi-function splashless sprayhead

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10124349-B2
Application number	US-201715651175-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 17, 2017
Priority date	Dec 18, 2015
Publication date	Nov 13, 2018
Grant date	Nov 13, 2018

Abstract

A fluid control valve includes a body, a first diverter, a second diverter, and a first actuator. The body includes an inlet configured to receive a supply of fluid. The first diverter is movable in a radial direction within the body between a first radial position and a second radial position. The second diverter is movable in a longitudinal direction within the body between a first longitudinal position and a second longitudinal position. The first actuator is operatively coupled to the first diverter and to the second diverter. The first actuator is configured to simultaneously move the first diverter between the first and second radial positions and the second diverter between the first and second longitudinal positions.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A fluid control valve, comprising:
a body comprising an inlet configured to receive a supply of fluid, a first chamber, a third chamber, a first outlet associated with the first chamber, and a third outlet associated with the third chamber;
a first diverter movable in a radial direction within the body between a first radial position and a second radial position;
a second diverter movable in a longitudinal direction within the body between a first longitudinal position and a second longitudinal position; and
a first actuator operatively coupled to the first diverter and to the second diverter;
wherein the first actuator is configured to simultaneously move the first diverter between the first and second radial positions and the second diverter between the first and second longitudinal positions; and
wherein the first chamber and the third chamber are each configured to be fluidly connected to the inlet in response to actuation of the first actuator so as to simultaneously provide two different sprays of fluid from the first and third outlets, respectively.

2. The fluid control valve of claim 1 , further comprising:
a second actuator operatively coupled to the second diverter; and
a slider coupled between the second actuator and the second diverter;
wherein the second actuator is configured to move the second diverter between the first and second longitudinal positions via the slider; and
wherein the second actuator is configured to move the second diverter independently of the first actuator.

3. The fluid control valve of claim 2 , further comprising:
a pivotable member operatively coupled between the slider and the first actuator;
wherein the pivotable member is configured to pivot about an axis to cause the slider to move in a longitudinal direction to thereby move the second diverter between the first and second longitudinal positions when the first actuator is actuated.

4. The fluid control valve of claim 1 , wherein the second diverter is oriented perpendicular to the first diverter.

5. The fluid control valve of claim 1 , wherein the body further comprises:
a second chamber;
wherein the second chamber is fluidly connected to the inlet and the first chamber is fluidly disconnected from the inlet when the first diverter is in the first radial position;
wherein the first and second chambers are fluidly connected to the inlet when the first diverter is in the second radial position;
wherein the third chamber is fluidly disconnected from the second chamber when the second diverter is in the first longitudinal position; and
wherein the third chamber is fluidly connected to the second chamber when the second diverter is in the second longitudinal position.

6. The fluid control valve of claim 5 , wherein the body further comprises:
a second outlet;
wherein the second outlet is fluidly connected to the second chamber when the second diverter is in the first longitudinal position; and
wherein the second outlet is fluidly disconnected from the second chamber when the second diverter is in the second longitudinal position.

7. The fluid control valve of claim 6 , wherein at least a portion of the second diverter is disposed in a portion of the third chamber that extends in a longitudinal direction through the body, such that the second diverter moves in the longitudinal direction between the first and second longitudinal positions.

8. The fluid control valve of claim 7 , wherein the first chamber includes a first portion that receives at least a portion of the first diverter and a second portion that is fluidly connected to the first outlet, wherein the first portion of the first chamber extends in a radial direction that is transverse to the longitudinal direction such that the first diverter moves in the radial direction between the first and second radial positions, and wherein the second portion of the first chamber extends at an angle relative to the first portion.

9. A fluid control valve, comprising:
a body comprising an inlet configured to receive a supply of fluid, a first chamber, a third chamber, a first outlet associated with the first chamber, and a third outlet associated with the third chamber;
a first diverter movable in a first direction within the body;
a second diverter movable in a second direction within the body, wherein the second direction is different than the first direction; and
a first actuator operatively coupled to the first diverter and to the second diverter;
wherein the first actuator is configured to simultaneously move the first diverter and the second diverter so as to direct the supply of fluid through the first chamber and the third chamber to simultaneously provide two different sprays of fluid from the first and third outlets, respectively.

10. The fluid control valve of claim 9 , further comprising:
a second actuator operatively coupled to the second diverter; and
a slider coupled between the second actuator and the second diverter;
wherein the second actuator is configured to move the second diverter between a first longitudinal position and a second longitudinal position via the slider; and
wherein the second actuator is configured to move the second diverter independently of the first actuator.

11. The fluid control valve of claim 10 , further comprising:
a pivotable member operatively coupled between the slider and the first actuator;
wherein the pivotable member is configured to pivot about an axis to cause the slider to move in a longitudinal direction to thereby move the second diverter between the first and second longitudinal positions when the first actuator is actuated.

12. The fluid control valve of claim 9 , wherein the second diverter is oriented perpendicular to the first diverter.

13. The fluid control valve of claim 9 , wherein the body further comprises:
a second chamber;
wherein the second chamber is fluidly connected to the inlet and the first chamber is fluidly disconnected from the inlet when the first diverter is in a first radial position;
wherein the first and second chambers are fluidly connected to the inlet when the first diverter is in a second radial position;
wherein the third chamber is fluidly disconnected from the second chamber when the second diverter is in a first longitudinal position; and
wherein the third chamber is fluidly connected to the second chamber when the second diverter is in a second longitudinal position.

14. The fluid control valve of claim 13 , wherein the body further comprises:
a second outlet;
wherein the second outlet is fluidly connected to the second chamber when the second diverter is in the first longitudinal position; and
wherein the second outlet is fluidly disconnected from the second chamber when the second diverter is in the second longitudinal position.

15. The fluid control valve of claim 14 , wherein at least a portion of the second diverter is disposed in a portion of the third chamber that extends in a longitudinal direction through the body, such that the second diverter moves in the longitudinal direction between the first and second longitudinal positions.

16. The fluid control valve of claim 15 , wherein the first chamber includes a first portion that receives at least a portion of the first diverter and a second portion that is fluidly connected to the first outlet, wherein the first portion of the first chamber extends in a radial direction that is transverse to the longitudinal direction such that the first diverter moves in the radial direction between the first and second radial positions, and wherein the

Assignees

• Kohler Co

Inventors

• Erickson Perry D
• Radder Steven Thomas
• Velapure Amruta

Classifications

• F16K11/044 Primary

  with movable valve members positioned between valve seats · CPC title

• E03C2001/0415

  having an extendable water outlet · CPC title

• E03C1/0405

  enabling multiple spray patterns · CPC title

• E03C2201/30

  Diverter valves in faucets or taps · CPC title

• B05B1/1681

  with a selecting mechanism comprising a gate valve, sliding valve or cock and a lift valve · CPC title