Multi-function splashless sprayhead

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9707572-B2
Application number	US-201514975131-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 18, 2015
Priority date	Dec 18, 2015
Publication date	Jul 18, 2017
Grant date	Jul 18, 2017

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 sprayhead, comprising:
a fluid control valve comprising:
a body comprising an inlet configured to receive a supply of fluid;
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;

a first outlet member including a first plurality of nozzles configured to receive the fluid from the body to provide a first spray;
a second outlet member including at least one nozzle configured to receive the fluid from the body to provide a second spray different than the first spray; and
a third outlet member surrounding the first outlet member and including a second plurality of nozzles configured to receive the fluid from the body to provide a third spray different than the first and second sprays;
wherein the third spray is provided simultaneously with the first spray when the first spray is being provided; and
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.

2. The sprayhead 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 independently of the first actuator.

3. The sprayhead 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 sprayhead of claim 1 , wherein the second diverter is oriented transverse relative to the first diverter.

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

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

7. The sprayhead 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 sprayhead of claim 7 , wherein the first chamber of the body 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 sprayhead for directing a fluid, comprising:
a fluid control valve comprising:
a body including an inlet configured to receive the fluid;
a first diverter movable in a radial direction between a first radial position and a second radial position within the body; and
a second diverter movable in a longitudinal direction between a first longitudinal position and a second longitudinal position within the body;

a first outlet member including a first plurality of nozzles configured to receive the fluid to provide a first spray;
a second outlet member including at least one nozzle configured to receive the fluid to provide a second spray different than the first spray; and
a third outlet member surrounding the first outlet member and including a second plurality of nozzles configured to receive the fluid to provide a third spray different than the first and second sprays;
wherein the third spray is provided simultaneously with the first spray when the first spray is being provided.

10. The sprayhead of claim 9 , wherein the first spray has a first velocity, and wherein the third spray has a second velocity that is lower than the first velocity.

11. The sprayhead of claim 10 , wherein when the first spray is being provided, the third spray surrounds the first spray such that a substantial portion of the first spray that may deflect from contacting a surface of an object will be contained by the third spray.

12. The sprayhead of claim 9 , wherein the third outlet member includes a spray surface having a hyperbolic-paraboloid shape configured to provide a spray pattern having an elliptical cross-sectional shape.

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

14. The sprayhead of claim 13 , wherein the first outlet member is configured to receive the fluid from the first chamber, wherein the second outlet member is fluidly connected to the second chamber when the second diverter is in the first longitudinal position, and wherein the third outlet member is configured to receive the fluid from the third chamber.

15. The sprayhead of claim 9 , further comprising a first actuator for controlling movement of the first diverter in the radial direction between the first and second radial positions and the second diverter in the longitudinal direction between the first and second longitudinal positions to provide the third spray simultaneously with the first spray.

16. The sprayhead of claim 15 , further comprising a second actuator for controlling movement of the second diverter in the longitudinal direction between the first and second longitudinal positions independently of the first actuator to provide the third spray independently of the first

Assignees

• Kohler Co

Inventors

• Erickson Perry D
• Radder Steven Thomas
• Velapure Amruta

Classifications

• E03C2001/0415

  having an extendable water outlet · CPC title

• B05B1/1681

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

• E03C1/0405

  enabling multiple spray patterns · CPC title

• B05B1/12 Primary

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

• B05B1/18

  Roses; Shower heads · CPC title