Flow passage switching device and water outlet device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11273456-B2
Application number	US-201916527749-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 31, 2019
Priority date	Dec 21, 2018
Publication date	Mar 15, 2022
Grant date	Mar 15, 2022

Abstract

The present invention discloses a flow passage switching device and a water outlet device. The water outlet device comprises a flow passage switching device, a hand-held shower and a head shower. The switching device comprises a valve member and a switching shaft. The switching shaft is disposed in the valve member and rotatable relative to the valve member. The valve member is provided with an inflow passage and at least three outflow passages. The at least three outflow passages can be coupled with the inflow passage by selective switching of the switching shaft. The head shower is provided with at least two water outlet units, and the hand-held shower and the at least two water outlet units are respectively connected to the at least three outflow passages.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A flow passage switching device, comprising:
a valve member; and
a switching shaft, wherein:
the switching shaft is disposed in the valve member and rotatable relative to the valve member,
the valve member is provided with an inflow passage, at least one first outflow passage, and at least one second outflow passage,
the switching shaft is provided with a water dividing chamber connected to the inflow passage,
the switching shaft is provided with at least one first water dividing hole and at least one second water dividing hole that penetrate the switching shaft,
the at least one first water dividing hole is coupled with the at least one first outflow passage and the at least one second water dividing hole is coupled with the at least one second outflow passage,
in a projection along a rotational axis of the switching shaft, the at least one first water dividing hole and the at least one second water dividing hole are circumferentially arranged around the rotational axis of the switching shaft,
in a projection perpendicular to the rotational axis of the switching shaft, the at least one first water dividing hole and the at least one second water dividing hole are arranged in a direction of the rotational axis of the switching shaft,
the valve member comprises a valve body and a valve cover,
the valve body is provided with an inwardly extending mounting chamber,
the valve cover is fixed to an opening of the inwardly extending mounting chamber such that the valve cover is sealed to the inwardly extending mounting chamber,
an end surface of a first end of the switching shaft is provided with an inwardly extending groove, which forms the water dividing chamber,
the switching shaft is mounted in the inwardly extending mounting chamber,
an opening of the inwardly extending groove faces a same direction as the opening of the inwardly extending mounting chamber,
the inflow passage comprises a water chamber and a water passage,
the water chamber is formed between the end surface of the first end of the switching shaft and the valve cover, and
the water passage is disposed in the valve body and is used to introduce water from outside of the valve body into the water chamber.

2. The flow passage switching device according to claim 1 , wherein in the projection along the rotational axis of the switching shaft, the at least one first water dividing hole and the at least one second water dividing hole are circumferentially arranged around the rotational axis of the switching shaft at intervals.

3. The flow passage switching device according to claim 2 , wherein:
the valve member is provided with at least two of the first outflow passages, and
the at least one first water dividing hole is coupled with the at least two of the first outflow passages.

4. The flow passage switching device according to claim 2 , further comprising:
a sealing gasket, wherein:
the sealing gasket is fixedly disposed relative to the valve member,
the sealing gasket is provided with at least one first water outlet coupled to the at least one first outflow passage and at least one second water outlet coupled to the at least one second outflow passage, and
an outer wall of the switching shaft contacts the sealing gasket such that the switching shaft is sealed to the sealing gasket.

5. The flow passage switching device according to claim 1 , wherein in the projection perpendicular to the rotational axis of the switching shaft, the at least one first water dividing hole and the at least one second water dividing hole are arranged in the direction of the rotational axis of the switching shaft at intervals.

6. The flow passage switching device according to claim 5 , wherein:
the valve member is provided with at least two of the first outflow passages, and
the at least one first water dividing hole is coupled with the at least two of the first outflow passages.

7. The flow passage switching device according to claim 5 , further comprising:
a sealing gasket, wherein:
the sealing gasket is fixedly disposed relative to the valve member,
the sealing gasket is provided with at least one first water outlet coupled to the at least one first outflow passage and at least one second water outlet coupled to the at least one second outflow passage, and
an outer wall of the switching shaft contacts the sealing gasket such that the switching shaft is sealed to the sealing gasket.

8. The flow passage switching device according to claim 1 , wherein:
the valve member is provided with at least two of the first outflow passages, and
the at least one first water dividing hole is coupled with the at least two of the first outflow passages.

9. The flow passage switching device according to claim 1 , further comprising:
an operating member, wherein the switching shaft is drivably coupled with the operating member.

10. The flow passage switching device according to claim 9 , further comprising:
a sealing gasket, wherein:
the sealing gasket is fixedly disposed relative to the valve member,
the sealing gasket is provided with at least one first water outlet coupled to the at least one first outflow passage and at least one second water outlet coupled to the at least one second outflow passage, and
an outer wall of the switching shaft contacts the sealing gasket such that the switching shaft is sealed to the sealing gasket.

11. The flow passage switching device according to claim 1 , wherein:
the opening of the inwardly extending mounting chamber is provided with an enlarged hole, which forms a step surface,
an outer edge of the first end of the switching shaft outwardly extends to form an annular convex portion, and
the annular convex portion abuts the step surface.

12. The flow passage switching device according to claim 11 , wherein an end opening of the water passage is located on the step surface.

13. The flow passage switching device according to claim 1 , further comprising:
an operating member, wherein:
the inwardly extending mounting chamber penetrates the valve body,
the inwardly extending mounting chamber comprises a chamber tail disposed on an opposite side of the inwardly extending mounting chamber relative to the opening of the inwardly extending mounting chamber,
a second end of the switching shaft extends out of the chamber tail, and
the operating member is drivably connected to the second end of the switching shaft.

14. The flow passage switching device according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a sealing gasket, wherein:
the sealing gasket is fixedly disposed relative to the valve member,
the sealing gasket is provided with at least one first water outlet coupled to the at least one first outflow passage and at least one second water outlet coupled to the at least one second outflow passage, and
an outer wall of the switching shaft contacts the sealing gasket such that the switching shaft is sealed to the sealing gasket.

Assignees

• Xiamen Solex High Tech Ind Co Ltd

Inventors

• Zhang Lian
• Chen Wenxing
• Lin Yijian

Classifications

• F16K11/0856 Primary

  having all the connecting conduits situated in more than one plane perpendicular to the axis of the plug · CPC title

• B05B1/12

  capable of producing different kinds of discharge, e.g. either jet or spray (having selectively-effective outlets B05B1/16) · CPC title

• F16K31/60

  Handles {(form, features or function of taps or faucet handles for domestic plumbing installations E03C1/04)} · CPC title

• B05B1/185

  characterised by their outlet element; Mounting arrangements therefor · CPC title

• B05B1/18

  Roses; Shower heads · CPC title