Fluidics devices for plumbing fixtures

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12595649-B2
Application number	US-202117522526-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 9, 2021
Priority date	May 17, 2019
Publication date	Apr 7, 2026
Grant date	Apr 7, 2026

Abstract

A shower head includes a water input pipe, a fluidic oscillator, and at least one water outlet. The water input pipe is configured to supply a flow of water. The fluidic oscillator includes at least one predetermined geometry to control the flow of water ejected from the fluidic oscillator to include a repeating fan of water at a predetermined angle range. The at least one water outlet is configured to provide the flow water including the repeating pattern of water.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A shower head, comprising:
a water input pipe configured to supply a flow of water; a fluidic oscillator including at least one predetermined geometry to control the flow of water ejected from the fluidic oscillator to include a repeating fan of water at a predetermined angle range, wherein the fluidic oscillator further includes a plurality of island dividers, each configured to separate the mixing chamber from a feedback channel, wherein the fluidic oscillator further comprises a mixing chamber, wherein the at least one predetermined geometry includes a narrow neck extended into the mixing chamber and the narrow neck extends farther into the fluidic oscillator than an edge at least one of the plurality of island dividers; and at least one water outlet configured to provide the flow water including the repeating fan of water from the shower head.

2 . The shower head of claim 1 , wherein the at least one predetermined geometry includes a convex portion forming at least in part a feedback input.

3 . The shower head of claim 1 , wherein the repeating fan of water includes a back and forth pattern in a horizontal or vertical direction.

4 . The shower head of claim 1 , wherein the fluidic oscillator further comprises:
a main flow path and a plurality of feedback paths parallel to the main flow path.

5 . The shower head of claim 4 , further comprising:
at least one valve configured to open and close at least one of the plurality of feedback paths.

6 . The shower head of claim 1 , further comprising:
a container coupled to the fluidic oscillator and configured to provide at least one agent or other substance to a main flow path of the fluidic oscillator.

7 . The shower head of claim 6 , further comprising:
a selector coupled to the container, wherein the at least one agent includes a plurality of agents selectable by the selector.

8 . The shower head of claim 1 , further comprising:
a controller configured to generate a selection command for a first valve and a feedback channel command for a second valve.

9 . A shower head, comprising:
a water input pipe configured to supply a flow of water; a fluidic oscillator including at least one predetermined geometry to control the flow of water ejected from the fluidic oscillator to include a repeating fan of water at a predetermined angle range, wherein the fluidic oscillator further comprises a mixing chamber and an island divider, wherein the at least one predetermined geometry includes a narrow neck extended into the mixing chamber toward the island divider and extending farther into the fluidic oscillator than an edge of the island divider; and at least one water outlet configured to provide the flow water including the repeating fan of water from the shower head.

10 . The shower head of claim 9 , wherein the at least one predetermined geometry includes a convex portion forming at least in part a feedback input.

11 . The shower head of claim 9 , wherein the repeating fan of water includes a back and forth pattern in a horizontal or vertical direction.

12 . The shower head of claim 9 , wherein the fluidic oscillator further comprises:
a main flow path and a plurality of feedback paths parallel to the main flow path.

13 . The shower head of claim 12 , further comprising:
at least one valve configured to open and close at least one of the plurality of feedback paths.

14 . The shower head of claim 9 , further comprising:
a container coupled to the fluidic oscillator and configured to provide at least one agent or other substance to a main flow path of the fluidic oscillator.

15 . The shower head of claim 14 , further comprising:
a selector coupled to the container, wherein the at least one agent includes a plurality of agents selectable by the selector.

16 . The shower head of claim 9 , further comprising:
a controller configured to generate a selection command for a first valve and a feedback channel command for a second valve.

Assignees

• Kohler Co

Inventors

• Garrels Clayton C
• Kuru William C
• Kalk William
• Graskamp Randal S
• Kwacz Jason

Classifications

• B05B1/08

  of pulsating nature, e.g. delivering liquid in successive separate quantities · CPC title

• B05B1/18

  Roses; Shower heads · CPC title

• E03D2201/40

  Devices for distribution of flush water inside the bowl · CPC title

• B05B12/04

  for sequential operation or multiple outlets · CPC title

• E03D11/13

  Parts or details of bowls; Special adaptations of pipe joints or couplings for use with bowls {, e.g. provisions in bowl construction preventing backflow of waste-water from the bowl in the flushing pipe or cistern, provisions for a secondary flushing, for noise-reducing} · CPC title