WO2020201675A1 - Tête de pulvérisation - Google Patents

Tête de pulvérisation Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2020201675A1
WO2020201675A1 PCT/GB2020/050258 GB2020050258W WO2020201675A1 WO 2020201675 A1 WO2020201675 A1 WO 2020201675A1 GB 2020050258 W GB2020050258 W GB 2020050258W WO 2020201675 A1 WO2020201675 A1 WO 2020201675A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
spray head
spray
spacing
restrictor
fluid
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/GB2020/050258
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Nigel SANSUM
Richard DAUNCEY
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Kohler Mira Ltd
Original Assignee
Kohler Mira Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Kohler Mira Ltd filed Critical Kohler Mira Ltd
Publication of WO2020201675A1 publication Critical patent/WO2020201675A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B1/00—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means
    • B05B1/14—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means with multiple outlet openings; with strainers in or outside the outlet opening
    • B05B1/18—Roses; Shower heads
    • B05B1/185—Roses; Shower heads characterised by their outlet element; Mounting arrangements therefor
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B1/00—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means
    • B05B1/14—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means with multiple outlet openings; with strainers in or outside the outlet opening
    • B05B1/18—Roses; Shower heads
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
    • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
    • B05B1/00—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means
    • B05B1/28—Nozzles, spray heads or other outlets, with or without auxiliary devices such as valves, heating means with integral means for shielding the discharged liquid or other fluent material, e.g. to limit area of spray; with integral means for catching drips or collecting surplus liquid or other fluent material

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to a spray head, in particular for an ablutionary appliance or fitting. More particularly, it relates to a spray head having a non-drip mechanism and to a shower system employing the spray head. Whilst the disclosure is particularly suited to use in a shower head, it need not be limited to such use.
  • Some or all of the residual water within the shower spray head and in the connecting hose and/or pipes may drip from the shower spray head some time, e.g. several minutes or even hours, after the shower system has been turned off. This may be unexpected and/or disturbing. Further, it may lead to user complaints concerning the components, e.g. valves, within the shower system, which may in fact be perfectly fine. In attending to such user complaints, potentially unnecessary inspection, maintenance and/or replacement of valves and other components within the shower system may be carried out. Various factors may cause the delayed dripping of the residual water within the shower spray head and in the connecting hose and/or pipes, including for example changes in temperature, air pressure or air flow in the room.
  • a spray head comprising:
  • a spray plate including at least one aperture
  • a spacing between the spray plate and the at least one restrictor, in a vicinity of the at least one aperture, is configured such that, below a predetermined fluid pressure, a fluid is prevented from flowing through the spacing due to its surface tension, whilst above the predetermined fluid pressure the fluid is able to flow through the spacing and pass through the at least one aperture.
  • the spacing provided by the restrictor therefore prevents or limits the passage of fluid when the pressure drops below a predetermined fluid pressure by action of the surface tension of the fluid interacting with the surfaces bounding the spacing.
  • the spacing may be up to or at least 0.1 cm, up to or at least 0.2 cm, up to or at least 0.3 cm and/or up to or at least 0.5 cm.
  • the spray head may further comprise a nozzle mat that provides a nozzle within the at least one aperture, the nozzle mat being interposed between the spray plate and the at least one restrictor.
  • the nozzle mat may act to improve the fluid jets formed by the spray head.
  • the spacing may be provided between the at least one restrictor and the nozzle mat.
  • the at least one restrictor may be positioned upstream of the spray plate.
  • the “upstream” direction may be determined by the direction of flow of fluid, in use.
  • the spray head may further comprise a spacing element within the spacing, the spacing element being configured to set a height of the spacing. By setting a height of the spacing using a spacing element, the spacing can be prevented or limited from changing, in use.
  • the spacing element may be interposed between the spray plate and the restrictor, the spray plate and the nozzle mat, or the nozzle mat and the restrictor.
  • the at least one restrictor may restrict the passage of fluid about an entire circumference of the at least one aperture.
  • the at least one restrictor may be provided on or by a plate spaced apart from the spray plate. Providing the at least one restrictor on or by a plate may make manufacture simpler and/or provide enhanced alignment of the restrictor(s).
  • the restrictor(s) may be integrally formed with the plate.
  • the plate may be formed with a plurality of passages configured to allow fluid to flow through the plate to the apertures.
  • the passages may be formed as apertures through the plate.
  • the apertures through the plate may surround each restrictor.
  • All of the restrictors may be provided on or by a single plate.
  • the predetermined fluid pressure may be substantially equal to ambient air pressure.
  • the fluid may be water.
  • the fluid may have a temperature of at least 0°C, up to or at least 5°C, up to or at least 15°C, up to or at least 45°C and/or up to or at least 65°C.
  • the fluid may have a surface tension of up to or at least 60 mN.m 1 , up to or at least 65 mN.m 1 ’ up to or at least 75 mN.m 1 and/or up to or at least 80 mN.m 1 .
  • the spray head may therefore be configured such that fluid with a surface tension within a disclosed range will be prevented from passing through the at least one aperture when the pressure drops below the predetermined fluid pressure.
  • the or each restrictor may include a protrusion that extends towards the spray plate, e.g. towards and/or into the at least one aperture.
  • the protrusion may therefore extend a given restriction down into a nozzle, assisting with the prevention of fluid flow when pressure is removed.
  • the protrusion may extend through a plane defined by an upper surface of the spray plate.
  • the protrusion may extend through a plane defined by an upper surface of the nozzle mat and may or may not protrude through a plane defined by an upper surface of the spray plate.
  • the spray plate may include any number of apertures.
  • the spray plate may include up to or at least 10 apertures, up to or at least 50 apertures, up to or at least 100 apertures and/or up to or at least 200 apertures, or may include any other number of apertures.
  • the restrictors may be provided in a 1 : 1 ratio with the apertures. Each restrictor may be associated with a corresponding aperture.
  • the spray head may comprise the same number of restrictors as apertures.
  • the spray head may comprise a fixed shower head or may comprise a handheld shower head.
  • the spray head may alternatively comprise a tap or other fluid, e.g. water, fitting, for use either indoors or outdoors in a domestic, industrial or commercial setting.
  • a second aspect provides a fluid delivery system comprising a spray head according to the first aspect, the spray head being in fluid communication with a water supply.
  • the fluid delivery system may comprise a shower system.
  • the spray head may comprise a fixed shower head or may comprise a handheld shower head.
  • a third aspect provides a kit of parts arranged to form a spray head according to the first aspect or a fluid delivery system according to the second aspect.
  • Figure 1 shows an example embodiment of a spray head
  • Figure 2 is an enlarged view of a nozzle of the spray head of Figure 1;
  • Figure 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of a restrictor and nozzle of another embodiment of a spray head, showing a spacing element
  • FIG 4 is an ablutionary system including the spray head of Figure 1.
  • a spray head 100 comprising a face plate 102 and a back plate 104 that are engaged together to form a chamber 106.
  • the face plate 102 and back plate 104 are both formed of plastics, but other materials may also be suitable, these being known to the skilled person.
  • the spray head 100 of this embodiment is configured for use as a shower head, but other uses may also be known to the skilled person and this is not intended to be limiting to the scope of the disclosure.
  • An opening 108 is formed in the back plate 104 for the receipt of fluid, for example water, from a fluid source 110.
  • the opening 108 is attached to a joint - in this case a ball joint 112 - which allows the back plate 104 to pivot relative to the ball joint 112 and connected inlet 112. This pivoting allows for directing of the spray from the face plate 102.
  • a joint - in this case a ball joint 112 - which allows the back plate 104 to pivot relative to the ball joint 112 and connected inlet 112.
  • This pivoting allows for directing of the spray from the face plate 102.
  • water will be used from hereon in, but this is not intended to be limiting and other fluids may be used.
  • the face plate 102 includes a plurality of apertures 114 through which water may pass, under pressure. Adjacent to the face plate 102 is a nozzle mat 116 that is shaped so as to form nozzles 118 within the apertures 114, for the passage of water.
  • the nozzle mat 116 is, in this embodiment, formed of a resilient material, which may comprise a rubber or polymer.
  • the support plate 120 includes a series of passages 122 through which water can pass in order to travel to the nozzles 118.
  • the support plate 120 also includes cover portions, hereafter referred to as restrictors 124, which are positioned directly above each nozzle 118 in order to restrict the passage of water to the nozzles 118 once it has passed through the passages 122 in the support plate 120.
  • Each restrictor 124 is set at a predetermined distance above its respective nozzle 118 in order to provide the desired spacing or restriction.
  • the restrictor 124 includes a protrusion 128 that extends into the nozzle 118 created by the nozzle mat 116. This protrusion 128 extends the restriction downwards into the nozzle, creating a longer restricted passageway for the emission of water that passes through the support plate 120. In use, water will enter the chamber 106 through the inlet 1 12 and opening 108.
  • the water admitted to the chamber 106 will be pressurised, for example by mains water pressure, either directly or through a boiler or an instantaneous water heater, water tank pressure, or by pumping, and will therefore be forced through the chamber 106, through the support plate 120, through the spacing or restriction provided by the restrictors 124, and out of the nozzle 1 18. This nozzle flow will appear as a spray to a user of the spray head 100.
  • each restrictor 124 acts to prevent any further water flow from the chamber 106 to the nozzles 1 18. This prevention is provided due to the combination of the surface tension of the water and the size of the spacing or restriction formed between the restrictor 124 and the nozzle mat 1 16.
  • r is the minimum radius of aperture required to prevent fluid flow
  • g is the surface tension of the fluid
  • p is the density of the fluid
  • g is the acceleration due to gravity
  • h is the depth of water above the aperture .
  • a spacing element 126 can be provided that ensures a specific separation between each restrictor 124 and the nozzle mat 116.
  • the spacing element 126 may be provided by any means that allows the spacing or restriction to be maintained at a set distance.
  • the spacing element 126 is provided as a small pip that is seated between the restrictor 124 and the nozzle mat 116.
  • the spacing element 126 will, of course, allow flow through the restriction around the spacing element 126, when the external fluid pressure is high enough to overcome the effects of surface tension.
  • Any number, e.g. a plurality, of spacing elements may be employed. Each spacing element may comprise a discrete pip.
  • the spacing element(s) may be provided on or by the nozzle mat and/or the support plate.
  • the spacing element(s) may be integrally formed with the nozzle mat or the support plate.
  • the nozzle mat 116 may be omitted, the nozzles being formed directly by the face plate of the spray head.
  • the restrictors may form a restriction directly between each restrictor and its respective nozzle in the face plate.
  • spacing elements these will also be provided between the restrictor and the spray head.
  • the spacing element(s) may each comprise a discrete pip.
  • the spacing element(s) may be provided on or by the face plate and/or the support plate.
  • the spacing element(s) may be integrally formed with the face plate or the support plate.
  • FIG 4 shows the spray head 100 of Figure 1 as part of an ablutionary system 1000.
  • the spray head 100 is attached to a valve 1002 and a water source, which in this case is a water tank 1004.
  • the water tank feeds a water pump 1006 which pressurises water to pass it through the valve 1002 to the spray head 100.
  • the valve 1002 can be rotated to selectively allow or disallow flow to the spray head 100.

Landscapes

  • Nozzles (AREA)

Abstract

Cette invention concerne une tête de pulvérisation, comprenant : une plaque de pulvérisation comprenant au moins une ouverture ; et au moins un limitateur dans une configuration espacée sensiblement fixe par rapport à la plaque de pulvérisation ; un espacement entre la plaque de pulvérisation et le(s) limitateur(s), à proximité de la/des ouverture(s), est configuré de telle sorte que, en-deçà d'une pression de fluide prédéfinie, un fluide est empêché de s'écouler à travers l'espacement en raison de sa tension de surface, tandis qu'au-delà de la pression de fluide prédéfinie, le fluide peut s'écouler à travers l'espacement et passer à travers la/les ouverture(s).
PCT/GB2020/050258 2019-04-03 2020-02-05 Tête de pulvérisation Ceased WO2020201675A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1904701.8A GB2582797B (en) 2019-04-03 2019-04-03 Spray head having non-drip mechanism
GB1904701.8 2019-04-03

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2020201675A1 true WO2020201675A1 (fr) 2020-10-08

Family

ID=66443018

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2020/050258 Ceased WO2020201675A1 (fr) 2019-04-03 2020-02-05 Tête de pulvérisation

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2582797B (fr)
WO (1) WO2020201675A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2627971B (en) * 2023-03-09 2025-07-30 Kohler Mira Ltd Showerhead

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2003038379A (ja) * 2001-07-31 2003-02-12 Toto Ltd シャワーヘッド
JP2004136242A (ja) * 2002-10-21 2004-05-13 Toto Ltd 吐水装置
CN206064655U (zh) * 2016-08-31 2017-04-05 厦门水大卫浴洁具有限公司 一种具有吸气及阻止吸气功能的结构

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2003038379A (ja) * 2001-07-31 2003-02-12 Toto Ltd シャワーヘッド
JP2004136242A (ja) * 2002-10-21 2004-05-13 Toto Ltd 吐水装置
CN206064655U (zh) * 2016-08-31 2017-04-05 厦门水大卫浴洁具有限公司 一种具有吸气及阻止吸气功能的结构

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2582797A (en) 2020-10-07
GB2582797B (en) 2021-06-23
GB201904701D0 (en) 2019-05-15

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