Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
FAUCET HANDLE HANDLE WITH ANGLED INTERFACE
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to faucets. More
particularly, the present
disclosure relates to faucets having a handle that rotates about an angled
interface to adjust a
water parameter.
[0002] Conventional faucets have traditionally included handles or levers
to transfer
mechanical motion to a mixing valve or to on/off valves for controlling water
activation, flow
rate, and/or temperature. Such mechanical coupling has limited the types of
motion available for
such faucet handles or levers. Additionally, conventional faucets including a
single handle or
lever traditionally control only one water parameter (e.g., water temperature
or flow rate).
[0003] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a faucet
assembly includes a
faucet body having a liquid pathway therein. A selector attachment base
includes a longitudinal
base axis and defines a selector movement plane. A selector is coupled to the
selector
attachment base, the selector having a longitudinal selector axis and
supported for movement
between a plurality of configurations to control a parameter of liquid through
the liquid pathway
of the faucet body. Movement of the selector between the plurality of
configurations is achieved
via rotation about a rotational axis that is perpendicular to the selector
movement plane. The
longitudinal selector axis is oriented at a first angle relative to the
rotational axis, and the
longitudinal selector axis is oriented at a second angle relative to the
longitudinal base axis. The
first angle is substantially constant and the second angle varies as the
selector moves between the
plurality of configurations.
[0004] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a faucet
assembly includes
a spout assembly having a hub defining a vertical axis, a liquid pathway
extending within the
hub, and a handle attachment base extending perpendicular to the hub and
defining a horizontal
axis, the handle attachment base including an end having a first mounting
surface. The faucet
assembly further includes a temperature control handle operably coupled to the
handle
attachment base for rotation from a first position defining a first
temperature setting and a second
position defining a second temperature setting, the temperature control handle
including an end
having a second mounting surface. The first mounting surface and the second
mounting surface
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define a handle movement plane angularly oriented intermediate the vertical
axis of the hub of
the spout assembly and the horizontal axis of the handle attachment base of
the spout assembly.
[0005] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a faucet
assembly is
provided including a spout assembly including a handle attachment portion
having a longitudinal
axis, the spout assembly having handle coupled to the handle attachment
portion, the handle
having a longitudinal axis, the handle having a first position in which the
longitudinal axis of the
handle attachment portion is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the
handle, the handle
having a second position in which the longitudinal axis of the handle
attachment portion is co-
linear with the longitudinal axis of the handle.
[0006] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a faucet
includes a handle
attachment base having a longitudinal base axis, and a handle coupled to the
handle attachment
base. The handle has a longitudinal handle axis and is supported for rotation
about a rotational
axis. The rotational axis is angularly offset from the longitudinal base axis
and the longitudinal
handle axis, such that the angular position of the longitudinal handle axis
relative to the
longitudinal base axis varies as the handle is rotated about the rotational
axis.
[0007] According to another illustrative embodiment of the present
disclosure, a faucet
includes a handle attachment base, and a handle coupled to the handle
attachment base and
supported for rotation about a rotational axis to control a first water
parameter. A dial is
supported for rotation relative to the handle to control a second water
parameter.
[0008] According to a further illustrative embodiment of the present
disclosure, a faucet
includes a spout assembly including a hub defining a vertical axis, and a
liquid pathway
extending within the hub. A handle attachment base extends perpendicular to
the hub and
defines a horizontal axis, the handle attachment base including an end having
a first mounting
surface. A control handle is coupled to the handle attachment base for
rotation from a first
position defining a first setting of a first water parameter and second
position defining a second
setting of the first water parameter, the control handle including an end
having a second
mounting surface. A control dial is coupled to the control handle for rotation
from a first
position defining a first setting of a second water parameter and a second
position defining a
second setting of the second water parameter.
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[0009] Additional features of the present disclosure will become apparent
to those skilled
in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of the
presently perceived best
mode of carrying out the disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The detailed description of the drawings particularly refers to
the accompanying
figures in which:
[0011] Fig. la is a perspective view of an illustrative faucet of the
present disclosure,
showing a control handle in a first or off position;
[0012] Fig. lb is a perspective view similar to Fig. la, showing the
control handle in a
second or intermediate temperature position;
[0013] FIG. lc is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1 b, showing the
control handle in a
third or hot temperature position;
[0014] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the faucet of FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 3a is a detailed perspective view showing the relative
positions of the handle
axis, the base axis, and the rotational axis, with the handle in the first
position of FIG. la;
[0016] FIG. 3b is a detailed perspective view similar to FIG. 3a, with
the handle in the
second position of FIG. 1 b;
[0017] FIG. 3c is a detailed perspective view similar to FIG. 3b, with
the handle in the
third position of FIG. lc;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a partially exploded perspective view of the faucet of
FIG. 1, with a
partial cut-away of the delivery spout to show the water conduit extending
therethrough;
[0019] FIG. 5a is a perspective view of an illustrative temperature
circuit assembly;
[0020] FIG. 5b is an exploded perspective view of the temperature circuit
assembly of
FIG. 5a;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the faucet hub of
FIG. 2, showing
an illustrative temperature circuit assembly and handle interface;
[0022] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the faucet hub of FIG. 6,
showing the
illustrative temperature circuit assembly and handle interface;
[0023] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the illustrative handle
interface of
FIG. 6;
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[0024] FIG. 9a is a perspective view of an illustrative faucet of the
present disclosure
including a pair of control handles, showing each of the control handles in a
first or off position;
[0025] FIG. 9b is a perspective view similar to FIG. 9a, showing each of
the control
handles in a second or intermediate flow position;
[0026] FIG. 9c is a perspective view similar to FIG. 9b, showing each of
the control
handles in a third or full flow position;
[0027] FIG. 10a is a perspective view of an illustrative faucet of the
present disclosure
including a control handle supporting a rotatable dial, showing pull-out
sprayhead coupled to a
delivery spout;
[0028] FIG. 10b is a perspective view of the illustrative faucet of FIG.
10a, showing the
pull-out sprayhead uncoupled from the delivery spout;
[0029] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the rotatable dial of
the control handle
of FIG. 10a;
[0030] FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing connections between components
of the
illustrative faucet of FIG. 10a;
[0031] FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 13-13
of FIG. 10a;
[0032] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an illustrative faucet of the
present disclosure
including a control handle, and a hub supporting a rotatable dial;
[0033] FIG. 15 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 15-15
of FIG. 14;
[0034] FIG. 16 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 16-16
of FIG. 14; and
[0035] FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of the rotatable dial of
the hub of FIG.
14.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0036] Figs. la-lc show a spout assembly 12 of an electronic faucet 10 of
the present
disclosure. In certain illustrative embodiments, the electronic faucet 10
comprises a touch
faucet. In the following description, the term "touch faucet" is meant to
indicate that flow
through the faucet 10 is activated by a user touching an outer surface of the
faucet 10. The user's
touch may be detected by a capacitive sensor. In other illustrative
embodiments, the electronic
faucet 10 may be activated by other user interfaces, for example, through
infrared (IR) sensors or
a manual handle. In addition to spout assembly 12, faucet 10 includes other
pieces, both seen
and unseen by a user and both above and below a mounting surface 11, such as a
sink deck.
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[0037] Fig. 2 shows an illustrative electronic faucet 10 and its
components. Spout
assembly 12 illustratively includes faucet body or delivery spout 14, selector
or handle 16, water
parameter control circuit assembly 18, water conduit 20, mounting shank 22,
base spacer 24, and
gasket 26. Faucet 10 further illustratively includes mounting bracket 78,
spacer 80, nut 82, and
electronic flow controller 84.
[0038] Figs. 3a-3c show additional details of the faucet 10 with handle
16 in the various
angular positions or configurations of Figs. la-lc, respectively. More
particularly, Figs. la and
3a illustrate the faucet 10 in an off mode or setting with the handle 16 in a
first angular position
or configuration. Figs. lb and 3b illustrate the faucet 10 in a mixed
temperature mode or setting,
with the handle 16 in a second or intermediate angular position or
configuration. Figs. lc and 3c
illustrate the faucet 10 in a full hot temperature mode or setting, with the
handle 16 in a third or
fully rotated angular position or configuration.
[0039] Illustrative delivery spout 14 includes body or hub 27, base 28,
water temperature
indicator window 29, handle attachment base 30, and upper extension 32. Hub 27
is
illustratively hollow and constructed from an electrically conductive metal or
other electrically
conductive material (e.g., a polymer including an electrically conductive
filler). Hub 27 may
telescope into upper extension 32 as shown in Fig. 6. Upper extension 32 forms
a familiar
curved faucet shape. Base 28 is sized, shaped, and located to engage mounting
surface 11.
However, in certain installations, such as those where mounting surface 11 is
constructed from
metal, base spacer 24 is employed to prevent direct contact of delivery spout
14 with mounting
surface 11 for electrical isolation as further discussed herein. Base 28
defines a plane along its
lower edge. When assembled to mounting surface 11, the base plane lies along
the top of
mounting surface 11.
[0040] Water temperature indicator window 29 is a translucent member
constructed from
glass, thermoplastic, or other material. Water temperature indicator window 29
is disposed in
delivery spout 14 on a side thereof that is most often expected to be facing
the user (in the same
direction as the curve of upper extension 32).
[0041] In the illustrative embodiment of Figs. 1-8, handle attachment
base 30 generally
extends horizontally to the right (as viewed from the front) from hub 27.
Handle attachment
base 30 has a longitudinal base axis 39 that is illustratively perpendicular
to a longitudinal axis
31 of the hub 27, from which handle attachment base 30 extends (Figs. 6 and
7). The end of
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handle attachment base 30 farthest from hub 27 presents a handle interface
surface 34,
supporting handle 16 for rotation about rotational axis 35. Illustratively,
rotational axis 35
extends perpendicularly to handle interface surface 34. Handle interface
surface 34 faces
upwardly from longitudinal base axis 39 at an angle, illustratively forty-five
degrees, such that
the lower side of the handle attachment base 30 extends farther away from hub
27 than the upper
side of handle attachment base 30. Handle attachment base 30 includes an
attachment bore 36
disposed therein. Attachment bore 36 is at least partially threaded and
extends perpendicularly
to handle interface surface 34 along rotational axis 35.
[0042] With further reference to Figs. 6-8, handle attachment base 30
further includes
axle bore 38 defined therein that extends from handle interface surface 34 to
within hub 27.
Axle bore 38 illustratively extends parallel to the longitudinal axis 39 of
handle attachment base
30 but is vertically offset therefrom. Handle attachment base 30 further
includes teeth clearance
bore 41 proximate the intersection of axle bore 38 and attachment bore 36.
Clearance bore 41
extends in an arc (e.g., forming a semi-circle) about attachment bore 36 for
providing space to
allow teeth 76 of handle 16, discussed below, to be received therein.
[0043] Axle 44 extends within axle bore 38. Axle 44 includes a distal end
46 that
includes a plurality of teeth 47 disposed radially thereon. A sealing o-ring
49 is illustratively
supported at distal end 46 of axle 44. Axle 44 further includes proximal end
48 that presents
interface surfaces, illustratively notches 50, designed and shaped to
interface with and seat
within gear hub 52 such that relative rotation of axle 44 to gear hub 52 is
not permitted (i.e.,
rotatably couples axle 44 with gear hub 52) (Figs. 5a and 5b).
[0044] Passage bore 40 extends throughout delivery spout 14, including
hub 27, upper
extension 32, and base 28. Passage bore 40 thereby provides a passageway that
extends from the
lower end of base 28 to an open or outlet end 42 of upper extension 32. At the
lower end of base
28, passage bore 40 presents a threaded portion 54.
[0045] With reference to Figs. 4 and 8, handle 16 includes trim piece or
cover 56, handle
body 58, bushing 60, o-ring 62, and bolt 64. Trim piece 56 illustratively has
an outer diameter
substantially equal to the outer diameter of handle attachment base 30. Trim
piece 56 is largely
hollow and presents bore 66 therein sized to snuggly (e.g., through a friction
fit) receive handle
body 58 therein. Trim piece 56 is illustratively constructed from a conductive
material, such as a
metal. Handle body 58 is comprised of a main body 68 and an extension portion
70. Main body
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68 is sized (length and diameter) to be received within bore 66. Extension
portion 70 is disposed
at a proximal end of handle body 58 and is designed to extend out of trim
piece 56 to prevent
direct contact of trim piece 56 and handle attachment base 30. Both trim piece
56 and handle
body 58 present an angled base interface surface 71, illustratively at forty-
five degrees, relative
to a longitudinal axis 72 of handle 16. A selector movement plane 73 is
defined intermediate the
handle interface surface 34 and the base interface surface 71 and extends
parallel thereto.
Proximal end of extension portion 70 includes a plurality of teeth 76 disposed
in an arc and
sized, shaped, and located to interface with teeth 47 of axle 44.
[0046] Proximal end of main body 68 and extension portion 70 includes an
attachment
bore 74 therein. Attachment bore 74 is sized to receive bushing 60 and o-ring
62 therein. Bolt
64 is further received within an inner bore of bushing 60 as shown in Figs. 6-
8. Bolt 64 further
extends into attachment bore 36 to threadably secure handle 16 to handle
attachment base 30.
Once so attached, teeth 76 are positioned to interface with teeth 47 of axle
44. Furthermore,
once so attached, handle 16 is able to freely rotate about bushing 60 and
against handle
attachment base 30. Such rotation causes teeth 76 to induce rotation in axle
44. A stop pin 77 is
illustratively coupled to extension portion 70 to rotate with handle 16 (Fig.
8). By engaging limit
surfaces 79a and 79b, stop pin 77 limits rotational travel of handle 16 (e.g.,
to 180 degrees).
[0047] Water parameter control circuit assembly 18 illustratively
comprises a
temperature/flow circuit assembly and is further illustrated in Figs. 5a and
5b. Water parameter
control circuit assembly 18 illustratively includes a sleeve or support sheath
86, a circuit board
88, a first gear 90, and a second gear 92. Support sheath 86 is substantially
cylindrical, having
an outer diameter sized to fit within passage bore 40 of hub 27. Support
sheath 86 also includes
an inner passage 87 that permits tube 124 of water conduit 20 to pass
therethrough. Support
sheath 86 further includes a recessed side that provides a mounting surface
for circuit board 88,
first gear 90, and second gear 92. More specifically, support sheath 86
provides a first hub 96
upon which first gear 90 rotatably mounts, a second hub 98 upon which second
gear 92 rotatably
mounts, calibration hub 99, and circuit board clips 100 that retain circuit
board 88 thereto. While
circuit board 88 is illustratively mounted to support sheath 86 via clips 100,
other conventional
fasteners may be substituted therefor.
[0048] Circuit board 88 illustratively includes a light emitting diode
(LED) 102, a clip
104, a pin interface 106, and a potentiometer 108. LED 102 may comprise a pair
of LED's (e.g.,
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a red LED and a blue LED), that are electrically coupled to circuit board 88
and configured to
selectively emit red, blue, and various combinations of red and blue (purples,
violets, etc..) to
indicate the temperature of water being delivered by faucet 10. LED 102 is
illustratively aligned
behind water temperature indicator window 29. Clip 104 is illustratively
conductive and spring
biased. In the illustrative embodiment, clip 104 is doubled over to have a
spring-like section
that, when placed within passage bore 40, will engage the inner surface of hub
27 to provide
electrical coupling therebetween.
[0049] Pin interface 106 is shown as an eight pin interface. One pin is
electrically
coupled to LED 102 to transmit power to the red LED 102. A second pin is
electrically coupled
to LED 102 to transmit power to the blue LED 102. A third pin is coupled to
circuit board 88 to
transmit an I2C Clock signal. A fourth pin is coupled to circuit board 88 to
transmit 3.3V power.
A fifth pin provides ground to circuit board 88. A sixth pin is coupled to
potentiometer 108 and
transmits I2C data thereon. A seventh pin provides a 1.8V dial reference
voltage for
potentiometer 108. An eighth pin is coupled to clip 104 and various other
sensing circuitry, such
as a capacitive sensor for transmitting an indication that a user has touched
delivery spout 14.
Pin interface 106 receives a header of a pin wire 110 (Fig. 2) coupled to
electronic flow
controller 84.
[0050] With reference to Fig. 5b, potentiometer 108 is electrically
coupled to circuit
board 88 and contains a rotatable keyway 111 centrally located therein. Keyway
111 is sized
and shaped to receive a keyed post 112 of second gear 92. Rotation of keyed
post 112 causes
rotation of rotatable keyway 111 to alter the resistance presented by
potentiometer 108 to circuit
board 88.
[0051] First gear 90 is generally circular with gear hub 52 located
centrally thereon and
including radially outwardly extending teeth 113. Gear hub 52 defines a
central bore 114
therethrough. As most easily seen in Figs. 5a and 5b, gear hub 52 includes
retaining fingers 115,
illustratively presenting a sinusoidal surface, to interface with interface
surfaces or notches 50 of
axle 44. Accordingly, when proximal end of axle 44 is received in central bore
114, axle 44 and
first gear 90 are rotatably coupled. Central bore 114 further receives first
hub 96 such that first
gear 90 is rotatably supported by support sheath 86. When mounted on first hub
96, and circuit
board 88 is mounted on support sheath 86, first gear 90 is secured to water
parameter control
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circuit assembly 18. Furthermore, when secured, gear hub 52 extends through a
hole 117 in
circuit board 88.
[0052] Similarly, second gear 92 is generally circular with keyed post
112 located
centrally thereon and including radially outwardly extending teeth 119. Second
gear 92 further
includes a hub bore 116 defined therein to permit mounting of second gear 92
on second hub 98
(Figs. 5 and 7). Mounting gears 90,92 on hubs 96,98 provide that the teeth
113, 119 of gears
90, 92 engage such that rotation of first gear 90 induces rotation in the
second gear 92.
Accordingly, rotation of axle 44 is translated to potentiometer 108 via gears
90, 92. Second gear
92 further includes calibration groove 93 defined therein (Fig. 7).
Calibration groove 93 is
positioned such that when second gear 92 is mounted on second hub 98,
calibration hub 99 is
received within calibration groove 93. Calibration groove 93 defines an arc
within second gear
92, but illustratively does not define a closed circle. Ends of calibration
groove 93 may define
movement stop points or limits for second gear 92 that may be calibrated with
potentiometer
108, as further detailed herein.
[0053] Referring further to Fig. 2, water conduit 20 includes aerator
assembly 118, o-ring
120, distal fitting 122, tube 124, and proximal fitting 126. Aerator assembly
118 may comprise a
conventional faucet aerator that threadably couples to the distal or outlet
end 42 of upper
extension 32. 0-ring 120 is disposed between aerator assembly 118 and distal
fitting 122 in
assembly and prevents leaks at the connection therebetween. Tube 124 extends
from distal
fitting 122 through spout assembly 12, and water parameter control circuit
assembly 18 to
proximal fitting 126. Proximal fitting 126 is illustratively a quick connect
fitting sized and
shaped to be readily connected and disconnected from a quick connect receiver
130 of electronic
flow controller 84.
[0054] Electronic flow controller 84 illustratively includes a housing
132, pin wire port
109, quick connect receiver 130, power connector 134, hot water inlet 136,
cold water inlet 138,
and at least one electrically operably valve 140. In certain illustrative
embodiments, the valve
140 comprises a mixing valve or a cycling valve configured to receive and mix
water flow from
hot water and cold water inlets 136 and 138. In other illustrative
embodiments, the valve 140
comprises a pair of proportional valves, one for controlling hot water flow
from hot water inlet
136 and one for controlling cold water flow from cold water inlet 138. Pin
wire 110 is
illustratively coupled to electronics 139 within housing 132 by being received
in pin wire port
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109. Quick connect receiver 130 illustratively receives proximal fitting 126
and is secured
thereto by retaining clip 141. Quick connect receiver 130 serves as a water
outlet from
electronic flow controller 84. Quick connect receiver 130 readily releases
proximal fitting 126
upon release of retaining clip 140. Power connector 134 readily couples to
power source via a
nine-Volt battery type coupler. A temperature sensor 142, illustratively a
thermistor, is
configured to measure water temperature downstream of valve 140. More
particularly,
temperature sensor 142 is positioned within housing 132 in the passageway
fluidly coupling
valve 140 to receiver 130.
[0055] Water inlets 136, 138 couple to household hot and cold water
supplies (330, 332
in FIG. 12). The valve 140 selectively opens and closes to allow water from
inlets 136, 138 to
flow to receiver 130. In the illustrative embodiment, valve 140 is a cycling
valve including a
disc (not shown) rotatable by an electric motor, wherein rotation in a
counterclockwise direction
causes the disc to initiate flow and then provide water exclusively from the
cold water inlet 136,
to a mix of water from the cold water and hot water inlets 136 and 138, to
water exclusively from
the hot water inlet 138 (i.e., offsetting, to a cold water temperature
setting, to a mixed water
temperature setting, to a hot water temperature setting). Electronics 139
within housing 132 may
include a processor for controlling operation of the valves 140 to dictate the
flow and
temperature of the water output at receiver 130 and ultimately at outlet 42 of
delivery spout 14.
[0056] During assembly, aerator assembly 118, o-ring 120, and distal
fitting 122 are
coupled to tube 124 and placed in passage bore 40. Water conduit 20 is fed
through inner
passage 87 of water parameter control circuit assembly 18 and out of base 28.
Proximal fitting
126 is then attached to tube 124.
[0057] Pin wire 110 is passed through nut 82, spacer 80, mounting bracket
78, gasket 26,
(optionally base spacer 24 as discussed below), and shank 22 and then seated
within pin interface
106 of circuit board 88. Support sheath 86 is then inserted into passage bore
40 of hub 27 such
that gear hub 52 axially aligns with axle bore 38. Axle 44 is then inserted
into axle bore 38 such
that interface surfaces 50 of proximal end 48 engage gear hub 52. Indicator
window 29 is also
inserted into hub 27 to seat within support sheath 86. Shank 22 is then
threadably engaged to
threaded portion 54 of base 28 to further retain water parameter control
circuit assembly 18
within passage bore 40.
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[0058] Once axle 44 is inserted, it is rotated either to a full clockwise
or full
counterclockwise position. The full clockwise/counterclockwise position is
determined when
respective ends of calibration groove 93 of second gear 92 abut calibration
hub 99. This full
clockwise/counterclockwise position is then used to properly attach handle
body 58 in either a
full hot or off position, respectively. Accordingly, the hot/cold/off position
of handle body 58
will properly correspond to the rotation of keyway 111. In other words,
potentiometer 108 is
properly calibrated to the rotational position of handle 16.
[0059] Handle body 58 attachment is achieved by aligning it such that
attachment bore
74 aligns with attachment bore 36 and teeth 76 of extension portion 70 of
handle body 58 engage
teeth 47 of distal end 46 of axle 44. Bushing 60 is then located within
attachment bore 74 and
teeth clearance bore 41 and bolt 64 is placed within bushing 60 and threadably
secured to
attachment bore 36. Once handle body 58 is secured to handle attachment base
30, trim piece 56
is secured on handle body 58. As previously noted, handle body 58 is
constructed from a non-
conductive material. Accordingly, handle body 58 electrically isolates trim
piece 56 from
delivery spout 14. Thus, a user may touch handle 16 and not cause activation
of valve 140 by
the capacitance sensor (e.g., toggle the on/off setting of faucet 10).
[0060] Faucet 10 is then ready for mounting to mounting surface 11. If
mounting surface
11 is a metal surface, base spacer 24 is mounted on shank 22. Base spacer 24
has a height that
prevents base 28 from contacting mounting surface 11 when mounted. As noted,
faucet 10 is a
touch faucet. As discussed in more detail herein, a user's touch of delivery
spout 14 causes
activation and deactivation of flow in faucet 10 by controlling operation of
valve 140. Without
the use of base spacer 24 with a metal mounting surface 11, a user's touch of
mounting surface
11 could unintentionally cause activation or deactivation of flow in faucet
10. Gasket 26 is
located under base 28 (or under base spacer 24 if used) to seal delivery spout
14 to mounting
surface 11.
[0061] Under mounting surface 11, mounting bracket 78 receives shank 22
and is
positioned flush to the underside of mounting surface 11. Spacer 80 may also
be placed on
shank 22 and abutted to mounting bracket 78. Nut 82 is threadably engaged to
shank 22 and is
tightened to clamp delivery spout 14, shank 22, mounting bracket 78, and
spacer 80 to secure
delivery spout 14 on mounting surface 11.
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[0062] Electronic flow controller 84 is illustratively mounted below
mounting surface 11.
As previously noted, pin wire 110 is mounted in pin interface 106. Proximal
fitting 126 is
secured in receiver 130. Hot and cold water supplies are coupled to hot water
inlet 136 and cold
water inlet 138, respectively. A power source, such as a battery pack (not
shown) is attached to
power connector 134.
[0063] In operation, a user pulls or rotates handle 16 out of the first
or off position
(vertical position as shown in Figs. la and 3a) to start water flow from
faucet 10. In the first
position, the longitudinal handle axis 72 extends at angle a to rotational
axis 35, and extends at
angle p to longitudinal base axis 39. In the illustrative embodiment, angle a
is 45 degrees and
angle p is 90 degrees when handle is in the first position of Figs. la and 3a.
Once initiated, water
flow in the illustrative faucet 10 may be arrested or stopped by returning
handle 16 to the vertical
position or by touching delivery spout 14. A user's touch of delivery spout
14, via the electrical
connection provided by clip 104, alters the capacitance of a circuit (e.g.,
capacitive sensor) at
least partially disposed on circuit board 88. This change in capacitance is
communicated to
electronic flow controller 84 via pin wire 110. Electronic flow controller 84
interprets this
change in capacitance as a call to toggle the on/off setting of the flow
condition of faucet 10.
Electronic flow controller 84 then opens (or closes) valve 140 to toggle flow
condition of
faucet 10.
[0064] The user may adjust the position of handle 16 to indicate a
desired water
temperature. Positioning or rotating handle 16 just barely out of vertical,
calls for water at the
coldest setting. A user may pull or rotate handle 16 towards him/her to adjust
the temperature
setting, wherein increased rotation toward the horizontal position of Figs. lc
and 3c increases the
temperature setting. Pulling handle 16 causes rotation of handle 16 about bolt
64 and bushing
60. This rotation allows infinitely adjustable positioning of handle 16.
[0065] Figs. lb and 3b show a second or intermediate position of handle
16 defining a
mixed or intermediate water temperature setting. More particularly, handle 16
has been rotated
from the first position of Fig. 3a about rotational axis 35 by approximately
80 degrees.
Potentiometer 108 detects the rotated position of handle 16 in the manner
detailed herein, such
that controller 84 causes valve 140 to provide mixed water flow from both hot
water inlet 136
and cold water inlet 138 thereby providing an intermediate temperature to
water provided to
outlet end 42 of delivery spout 14. As illustrated in Fig. 3b, angle a between
longitudinal handle
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axis 72 and rotational axis 35 is maintained at 45 degrees. However, angle 13
between
longitudinal handle axis 72 and longitudinal base axis 39 varies as handle 16
is rotated. In Fig.
3b, angle p is substantially equal to 65 degrees. In other words, angle a
stays substantially
constant, while angle p varies as handle 16 is rotated about rotational axis
35.
[0066] Figs. 1 c and 3c show handle 16 in a third or hot temperature
position (horizontal
position as shown in Figs. lc and 3c) that calls for water at the hottest
setting. More particularly,
handle 16 has been rotated from the second position of Fig. 3b about
rotational axis 35 by
approximately 100 degrees. In other words, handle 16 has been rotated from the
first position of
Fig. 3a about rotational axis 35 by approximately 180 degrees. Potentiometer
108 detects the
rotated position of handle 16 in the manner detailed herein, such that
controller 84 causes valve
140 to provide mixed water flow from only hot water inlet 136 thereby
providing a hot
temperature to water provided to outlet end 42 of delivery spout 14. As
illustrated in Fig. 3c,
angle a between longitudinal handle axis 72 and rotational axis 35 is
maintained at 45 degrees.
However, angle p between longitudinal handle axis 72 and longitudinal base
axis 39 varies as
handle 16 is rotated. In Fig. 3c, angle is substantially equal to 0 degrees,
since the longitudinal
handle axis 72 is coaxially aligned with the longitudinal base axis 39. As
noted above, angle a
stays substantially constant, while angle r3 varies as handle 16 is rotated
about rotational axis 35
from the first position of Fig. 3a, through the second position of Fig. 3b, to
the third position of
Fig. 3c.
[0067] The rotation of handle 16 and the rotation of attached teeth 76
induces rotation of
axle 44 via teeth 47. Rotation of axle 44 causes rotation of first gear 90
which causes rotation of
second gear 92. Rotation of second gear 92 causes rotation of rotatable keyway
111. Rotation of
rotatable keyway 111 alters the resistance of potentiometer 108 as seen by
circuit board 88. The
resistance of potentiometer 108 seen by circuit board 88 is communicated to
electronic flow
controller 84 via pin wire 110. Electronic flow controller 84 then adjusts
valve 140 that gate hot
water inlet 136 and cold water inlet 138 to adjust the temperature of the
water output at receiver
130 and therefore outlet end 42 of delivery spout 14. Temperature sensor 142
provides feedback
to circuit board 88 of water temperature at the outlet of valve 140.
[0068] More particularly, temperature sensor 142 is also present within
electronic flow
controller 84. The temperature sensor 142 detects the temperature of the water
delivered to
receiver 130. The temperature sensor 142 also outputs an electrical signal
indicative of the
CA 3065660 2019-12-19
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sensed temperature. Electronic flow controller 84 interprets this electrical
signal and outputs
another electrical signal on pin wire 110. This signal on pin wire 110
operates to control the
color of light emitted by led 102. Light emitted by LED 102 shines through
water temperature
indicator window 29 to be viewable by the user. LED 102 provides a blue light
to indicate
relatively cold water. LED 102 provides a red light to indicate relatively hot
water. LED 102
provides mixtures of red and blue light (purple, violet, etc.) to indicate the
spectrum between hot
and cold.
[0069] Accordingly, the position of handle 16 is viewable by the user to
provide a visual
indication of the approximate temperature being requested. LED 102 is viewable
by the user to
provide a visual indication of the approximate temperature being realized at
aerator
assembly 118 at outlet end 42 of delivery spout 14.
[0070] Figs. 9a-9c show another illustrative embodiment faucet 210
including a delivery
spout 212 extending between a pair of handles 216a, 216b. The two handle
faucet 210 includes
handle 216a which controls cold water flow to delivery spout 212
(illustratively through cold
water inlet 138) and a hot water handle 216b which controls hot water flow to
delivery spout 212
(illustratively through hot water inlet 136). Spout 212 and handles 216a, 216b
are supported by
mounting surface 11, illustratively a sink deck.
[0071] Handles 216a, 216b are each supported by a respective attachment
base 227a,
227b along an angled interface plane 273a, 273b. In the illustrative
embodiment, the interface
planes 273a, 273b are angled approximately 45 degrees from horizontal. Each
attachment base
227a, 227b extends vertically along a respective longitudinal base axis 239a,
239b, while each
handle 216a, 216b extends along a respective longitudinal handle axis 272a,
272b. The handles
216a, 216b are each rotatable about a respective rotational axis 235a, 235b
extending
perpendicular to the associated interface plane 273a, 273b. More particularly,
each handle 216a,
216b may be supported for rotational movement relative to respective
attachment base 227a,
227b in a manner similar to the manner in which handle 16 is operably coupled
to attachment
base 30, as detailed above in connection with faucet 10. Additionally, handles
216a, 216b may
each be configured to operably couple to water parameter control circuit
assembly 18 similar to
that detailed above. However, in the illustrative faucet 210, the water
parameter control circuit
assembly 18 is configured to communicate with electronic flow controller 84 to
control flow rate
CA 3065660 2019-12-19
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through hot water inlet 136 in response to rotation of handle 216b, and to
control flow rate
through cold water inlet 138 in response to rotation of handle 216a through
hot water inlet 136.
[0072] Fig. 9a illustrates both handles 216a, 216b in their respective
first or off positions,
illustratively with each longitudinal handle axis 272a, 272b extending
perpendicular to the
longitudinal base axis 239a, 239b in a horizontal direction. In the off
position, the water
parameter control circuit assembly 18 associated with each handle 216a, 216b
sends a signal of
handle position to the flow controller 84 which instructs respective
electrically operable flow
control valves 140 to block water flow through water inlets 136 and 138.
[0073] Fig. 9b illustrates both handles 216a, 216b in second or
intermediate flow
positions, wherein each handle 216a, 216b has been rotated by approximately 80
degrees about
respective rotational axis 235a, 235b toward the user from the off position of
Fig. 9a. In the
intermediate flow position of Fig. 9b, the water parameter control circuit
assembly 18 associated
with each handle 216a, 216b sends a signal of handle position to the flow
controller 84 which
instructs respective electrically operable flow control valves 140 to permit
restricted water flow
through hot and cold water inlets 136 and 138 at an intermediate flow rate.
[0074] Fig. 9c illustrates both handles 216a, 216b in third or full flow
positions, wherein
each handle 216a, 216b has been rotated by approximately 100 degrees about
respective
rotational axis 235a, 235b toward the user from the second position of Fig.
9b. In the third
position of Fig. 9c, each longitudinal handle axis 272a, 272b extends in a
vertical direction and is
coaxially aligned with respective longitudinal base axis 239a, 239b. The water
parameter control
circuit assembly 18 associated with each handle 216a, 216b sends a signal of
handle position to
the flow controller 84 which instructs respective electrically operable flow
control valves 140 to
permit full water flow through hot and cold water inlets 136 and 138.
[0075] With reference now to FIGS. 10a-13, a further illustrative faucet
310 is shown.
The faucet 310 includes many similar components as the faucet 10 detailed
above. As such,
similar components will be identified with like references numbers.
[0076] Illustrative faucet 310 includes spout assembly 312 having a
faucet body or
delivery spout 314, and a selector or control handle 316. Illustrative
delivery spout 314 includes
body or hub 27, mounting base 28, water temperature indicator window 29,
handle attachment
base 30, and upper extension 32. The mounting base 28 illustratively couples
the hub 27 to
mounting surface 11.
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[0077] Illustratively, a pullout sprayhead 322 is removably coupled to a
distal end 323 of
the delivery spout 314. The sprayhead 322 illustratively includes a water
outlet 326 fluidly
coupled to a flexible tube 324 slidably received within the delivery spout
314. More particularly,
FIG. 10a shows the sprayhead 322 coupled to the distal end 323 of the delivery
spout 314, and
FIG. 10b shows the sprayhead 322 uncoupled from, and in spaced relation to,
the distal end 323
of the delivery spout 314. The flexible tube 324 is fluidly coupled to an
outlet of the electrically
operable valve 140. As detailed above, water inlets 136, 138 of the
electrically operable valve
140 couple to household hot and cold water supplies 330, 332 (FIG. 12).
[0078] Control handle 316 is essentially the same as control handle 16
detailed above,
with the exception of additional selector or control dial 328. More
particularly, the control
handle 316 is supported for movement in the manner detailed above with respect
to handle 16 in
connection with FIGS. 3a-3c.
[0079] With reference to FIGS. 12 and 13, a first position or handle
sensor, illustratively
potentiometer 108, is operably coupled to the handle 316. More particularly,
the potentiometer
108 detects the rotational position of the handle 316 about rotational axis 35
and provides a
signal indicative thereof to electronic flow controller 84. The electronic
flow controller 84 is in
electrical communication with the electrically operable valve 140, wherein
rotation of the handle
316 as detected by the potentiometer 108 controls a first water parameter
(e.g., water flow rate)
via operation of the electrically operable valve 140 by the controller 84.
[0080] With further reference to FIGS. 11-13, the control dial 328 is
supported for
rotation about the longitudinal axis 72 of the handle 316 for controlling a
second water parameter
(e.g., water temperature). The control dial 328 illustratively includes an
outer cover 334 coupled
to an inner core 336. The outer cover 334 and the inner core 336 are supported
for rotation about
the longitudinal axis 72. The inner core 336 includes a retainer 335 (e.g., an
o-ring) to assist in
retaining the outer cover 334 on the inner core 336. The inner core 336
illustratively includes a
downwardly extending arm or tab 337 operably coupled to a potentiometer 338
supported on
circuit board 340, thereby defining a second position or dial sensor 342. As
may appreciated,
rotation of the control dial 328 is transmitted to the potentiometer 338 via
the tab 337. The
potentiometer 338 is illustratively in communication with the controller 84
via wires 352. The
wires 352 are configured to extend through an inner bore 354 of a bushing or
threaded sleeve
350 to circuit board 88 supported within the hub 318.
CA 3065660 2019-12-19
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[0081] As detailed above, rotation of the control handle 316 about the
rotational axis 35
controls the first water parameter, while rotation of the control dial 328
about the longitudinal
axis 72 controls the second water parameter. In the illustrative embodiment,
the first water
parameter comprises water flow rate of water discharged from the water outlet
326, and the
second water parameter comprises water temperature of water discharged from
the water outlet
326. It should be appreciated that alternative embodiments the first water
parameter may
comprise water temperature, while the second water parameter may comprise
water flow rate.
[0082] The control handle 316 in a first rotational position defines a
first setting of the
flow rate, while the control handle 316 in a second rotational position
defines a second setting of
the flow rate. Similarly, rotation of the control dial 328 to a first position
defines a first setting
of the water temperature, and rotation of the control dial 328 to a second
position defines a
second setting of the water temperature.
[0083] With reference now to FIGS. 14-17, a further illustrative faucet
410 is shown.
The faucet 410 includes many similar components as the faucet 310 detailed
above. As such,
similar components will be identified with like references numbers.
[0084] Illustrative faucet 410 includes spout assembly 412 having faucet
body or
delivery spout 314, and selector or control handle 16. The illustrative
control handle 416 is
further detailed above. Illustrative delivery spout 314 includes a body or hub
418, mounting
base 28, handle attachment base 30, and upper extension 32. The mounting base
28 illustratively
couples the hub 318 to mounting surface 11. The base 28 is illustratively
supported above an
illumination insulator spacer 428 including a light, such as LED 102.
[0085] The hub 418 of the faucet 410 illustratively supports a control
dial 426 for
rotation about the longitudinal axis 419 of the hub 418. The control dial 426
illustratively
includes an inner ring 432 coupled to an outer dial 430. The inner ring 432
supports a magnet
434 configured to be detected by a second position or dial sensor 436, such as
a Hall-effect
sensor. The sensor 436 is illustratively supported on circuit board 88
supported within the hub
418.
[0086] As may appreciated, rotation of the control dial 426 and
corresponding magnet
434 is detected by the sensor 436. The sensor 436 is illustratively in
communication with the
controller 84.
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[0087] As detailed above, rotation of the control handle 16 about the
rotational axis 35
controls the first water parameter, while rotation of the control dial 426
about the longitudinal
axis 419 controls the second water parameter. In the illustrative embodiment,
the first water
parameter comprises water flow rate of water discharged from the water outlet
326, and the
second water parameter comprises water temperature of water discharged from
the water outlet
326. It should be appreciated that alternative embodiments the first water
parameter may
comprise water temperature, while the second water parameter may comprise
water flow rate.
[0088] The control handle 16 in a first rotational position defines a
first setting of the
flow rate, while the control handle 16 in a second rotational position defines
a second setting of
the flow rate. Similarly, rotation of the control dial 426 to a first position
defines a first setting
of the water temperature, and rotation of the control dial 426 to a second
position defines a
second setting of the water temperature.
[0089] Although the disclosure has been described in detail with
reference to certain
preferred embodiments, variations and modifications exist within the spirit
and scope of the
disclosure as described and defined in the following claims.
CA 3065660 2019-12-19
