ELECTRONIC PLUMBING FIXTURE FITTING WITH FLOW MODULE

RACCORD D'APPAREIL DE PLOMBERIE ELECTRONIQUE COMPORTANT UN MODULE DE DEBIT

English Abstract

The present invention provides an electronic plumbing fixture fitting
including a housing,
a mounting shank, an electronic valve, a flow module, and a wand hose. The
housing is operable
to mount above a mounting surface. The mounting shank is operable to extend
downwardly
from the housing, through and below the mounting surface, and behind a sink
mounted in the
mounting surface. The electronic valve is located inside the flow module. The
flow module
includes a bracket, a hot water inlet, a hot water passage, a cold water
inlet, a cold water passage,
a mixed water outlet, and a mixed water passage. The flow module is operable
to mount below
the mounting surface and on the mounting shank.

French Abstract

Il est décrit un raccord dappareil de plomberie électronique comprenant un logement, une tige de montage, une soupape électronique, un module découlement et un tuyau de lance. Le logement peut être exploité pour être monté au-dessus dune aire de montage. La tige de montage peut être exploitée pour être étendue vers le bas à partir du logement, à travers et sous laire de montage, et derrière un lavabo monté dans laire de montage. La soupape électronique est située à lintérieur du module découlement. Ce dernier comprend une chaise darbre, une prise deau chaude, un passage deau chaude, une prise deau froide, un passage deau froide, une prise deau mélangée et un passage deau mélangée. Le module découlement peut être exploité pour être monté sous laire de montage et sur la tige de montage.

Claims

What is claimed is:
1. An electronic plumbing fixture fitting, comprising:
a housing, the housing being operable to mount above a mounting surface, the
housing
including a spout and a wand, the wand being operable to pull away from the
spout, the wand
including a discharge outlet operable to deliver water;
a mounting shank, the mounting shank being operable to extend downwardly from
the
housing, the mounting shank being operable to extend through and below the
mounting surface,
the mounting shank being operable to extend behind a sink mounted in the
mounting surface;
an electronic valve, the electronic valve being operable to permit flow of
water through
the discharge outlet when the electronic valve is activated and to not permit
flow of water through
the discharge outlet when the electronic valve is deactivated;
a flow module, the electronic valve being located inside the flow module, the
flow module
including:
a bracket, the bracket including a mounting portion, the mounting portion
being operable
to connect to the mounting shank,
a hot water inlet operable to receive hot water from a hot water supply,
a hot water passage operable to fluidly connect the hot water inlet and the
electronic valve,
a cold water inlet operable to receive cold water from a cold water supply,
a cold water passage operable to fluidly comect the cold water inlet and the
electronic
valve,
a mixed water outlet operable to discharge mixed water to the discharge
outlet, and
a mixed water passage operable to fluidly connect the electronic valve and the
mixed water
outlet; and
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-03-22

a wand hose, the wand hose being operable to fluidly connect the mixed water
outlet and
the wand, the wand hose extending below the mounting surface and through the
mounting surface
and the spout;
wherein the flow module is operable to mount below the mounting surface and on
the
mounting shank.
2. The electronic plumbing fixture fitting of claim 1, wherein the flow
module is operable to
mount at least partially behind the sink.
3. The electronic plumbing fixture fitting of claim 1, wherein the flow
module is operable to
mount substantially behind the sink.
4. The electronic plumbing fixture fitting of claim 1, wherein at least
thirty percent of the
flow module is operable to mount behind the sink.
5. The electronic plumbing fixture fitting of claim 1, wherein the flow
module is operable to
mount completely behind the sink.
6. The electronic plumbing fixture fitting of claim 1, further including:
a sensor, the sensor being operable to send a signal when the electronic valve
is to be
activated; and
an electronics module, the electronics module being operable to receive the
signal from
the sensor when the electronic valve is to be activated and, in response, send
a signal to the
electronic valve to activate the electronic valve, the electronics module
being operable to connect
to the flow module.
7. An electronic plumbing fixture fitting, comprising:
a housing, the housing being operable to mount above a mounting surface, the
housing
including a spout and a wand, the wand being operable to pull away from the
spout, the wand
including a discharge outlet operable to deliver water;
46
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-03-22

a mounting shank, the mounting shank being operable to extend downwardly from
the
housing, the mounting shank being operable to extend through and below the
mounting surface,
the mounting shank being operable to extend behind a sink mounted in the
mounting surface;
an electronic valve, the electronic valve being operable to permit flow of
water through
the discharge outlet when the electronic valve is activated and to not permit
flow of water through
the discharge outlet when the electronic valve is deactivated;
a flow module, the electronic valve being located inside the flow module, the
flow module
including:
a bracket, the bracket including a mounting portion, the mounting portion
being operable
to connect to the mounting shank, the mounting portion including a generally C-
shaped clip that
is operable to connect to the mounting shank,
a hot water inlet operable to receive hot water from a hot water supply,
a hot water passage operable to fluidly connect the hot water inlet and the
electronic valve,
a cold water inlet operable to receive cold water from a cold water supply,
a cold water passage operable to fluidly coimect the cold water inlet and the
electronic
valve,
a mixed water outlet operable to discharge mixed water to the discharge
outlet, and
a mixed water passage operable to fluidly connect the electronic valve and the
mixed water
outlet; and
a wand hose, the wand hose being operable to fluidly connect the mixed water
outlet and
the wand, the wand hose extending below the mounting surface and through the
mounting surface
and the spout;
wherein the flow module is operable to mount below the mounting surface and on
the
mounting shank.
47
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-03-22

8. The electronic plumbing fixture fitting of claim 7, wherein the flow
module is operable to
mount at least partially behind the sink.
9. The electronic plumbing fixture fitting of claim 7, wherein the flow
module is operable to
mount substantially behind the sink.
10. The electronic plumbing fixture fitting of claim 7, wherein at least
thirty percent of the
flow module is operable to mount behind the sink.
11. The electronic plumbing fixture fitting of claim 7, wherein the flow
module is operable to
mount completely behind the sink.
12. The electronic plumbing fixture fitting of claim 7, wherein:
the flow module includes a top side and a bottom side, the top side being
opposite the
bottom side;
the bracket extends from the top side of the flow module; and
the hot water inlet, the cold water inlet, and the mixed water outlet are
located in the
bottom side of the flow module.
13. The electronic plumbing fixture fitting of claim 7, further including:
a sensor, the sensor being operable to send a signal when the electronic valve
is to be
activated; and
an electronics module, the electronics module being operable to receive the
signal from
the sensor when the electronic valve is to be activated and, in response, send
a signal to the
electronic valve to activate the electronic valve, the electronics module
being operable to connect
to the flow module.
14. An electronic plumbing fixture fitting, comprising:
48
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-03-22

a housing, the housing being operable to mount above a mounting surface, the
housing
including a spout and a wand, the wand being operable to pull away from the
spout, the wand
including a discharge outlet operable to deliver water;
a mounting shank, the mounting shank being operable to extend downwardly from
the
housing, the mounting shank being operable to extend through and below the
mounting surface,
the mounting shank being operable to extend behind a sink mounted in the
mounting surface;
an electronic valve, the electronic valve being operable to permit flow of
water through
the discharge outlet when the electronic valve is activated and to not permit
flow of water through
the discharge outlet when the electronic valve is deactivated;
a flow module, the electronic valve being located inside the flow module, the
flow module
including:
a top side and a bottom side, the top side being opposite the bottom side;
a bracket, the bracket extending from the top side of the flow module, the
bracket
including a mounting portion, the mounting portion being operable to connect
to the mounting
shank,
a hot water inlet operable to receive hot water from a hot water supply, the
hot water inlet
being located in the bottom side of the flow module,
a hot water passage operable to fluidly connect the hot water inlet and the
electronic valve,
a cold water inlet operable to receive cold water from a cold water supply,
the cold water
inlet being located in the bottom side of the flow module,
a cold water passage operable to fluidly comect the cold water inlet and the
electronic
valve,
a mixed water outlet operable to discharge mixed water to the discharge
outlet, the mixed
water outlet being located in the bottom side of the flow module, and
49
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-03-22

a mixed water passage operable to fluidly connect the electronic valve and the
mixed water
outlet; and
a wand hose, the wand hose being operable to fluidly connect the mixed water
outlet and
the wand, the wand hose extending below the mounting surface and through the
mounting surface
and the spout;
wherein the flow module is operable to mount below the mounting surface and on
the
mounting shank.
15. The electronic plumbing fixture fitting of claim 14, wherein the flow
module is operable
to mount at least partially behind the sink.
16. The electronic plumbing fixture fitting of claim 14, wherein the flow
module is operable
to mount substantially behind the sink.
17. The electronic plumbing fixture fitting of claim 14, wherein at least
thirty percent of the
flow module is operable to mount behind the sink.
18. The electronic plumbing fixture fitting of claim 14, wherein the flow
module is operable
to mount completely behind the sink.
19. The electronic plumbing fixture fitting of claim 14, wherein the
mounting portion of the
bracket include a generally C-shaped clip that is operable to connect to the
mounting shank.
20. The electronic plumbing fixture fitting of claim 14, further including:
a sensor, the sensor being operable to send a signal when the electronic valve
is to be
activated; and
an electronics module, the electronics module being operable to receive the
signal from
the sensor when the electronic valve is to be activated and, in response, send
a signal to the
electronic valve to activate the electronic valve, the electronics module
being operable to connect
to the flow module.
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-03-22

Description

ELECTRONIC PLUMBING FIXTURE FITTING WITH
FLOW MODULE
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application Nos.
62/105,174, 62/105,175, and 62/105,176, filed January 19, 2015.
FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates generally to an electronic plumbing
fixture fitting
with an electronic valve including a piston and a seat, a sensor mounted on an
electronic board,
and a flow module, such as an electronic faucet with an electronic valve
including a piston and a
seat, a sensor mounted on an electronic board, and a flow module.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Electronic plumbing fixture fittings, such as electronic faucets,
are well known.
Such electronic plumbing fixture fittings are used in residential and
commercial applications,
such as in kitchens, bathrooms, and various other locations.
1
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-23

SUMMARY
[0004] The present invention provides an electronic plumbing fixture
fitting with an
electronic valve including a piston and a seat, a sensor mounted on an
electronic board, and a
flow module.
[0005] In an exemplary embodiment, the electronic plumbing fixture
fitting comprises a
discharge outlet and an electronic valve. The discharge outlet is operable to
deliver water. The
electronic valve is operable to permit flow of water through the discharge
outlet when the
electronic valve is activated and to not permit flow of water through the
discharge outlet when
the electronic valve is deactivated. The electronic valve includes a piston
and a seat. The piston
includes a body and a nose. The seat includes a body. The body of the seat
includes a central
opening extending therethrough. The electronic valve has a sealing zone. The
sealing zone is a
region where a sealing member on one of the piston and the seat interfaces
with the other of the
piston and the seat. The electronic valve has a flow control zone. At any
given position of the
piston relative to the seat, the flow control zone is a region where a portion
of the piston
interfaces with a portion of the seat. The sealing zone is separate from the
flow control zone.
[0006] In an exemplary embodiment, the electronic plumbing fixture
fitting comprises a
discharge outlet and an electronic valve. The discharge outlet is operable to
deliver water. The
electronic valve is operable to permit flow of water through the discharge
outlet when the
electronic valve is activated and to not permit flow of water through the
discharge outlet when
the electronic valve is deactivated. The electronic valve includes a piston
and a seat. The piston
includes a body and a nose. The nose of the piston includes a conical portion
and a cylindrical
portion. The seat includes a body. The body of the seat includes a central
opening extending
therethrough. The central opening includes an inlet portion, a conical
portion, and a cylindrical
2
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-23

portion. The nose of the piston is operable to be received in and move in and
out of the central
opening in the seat.
[0007] In an exemplary embodiment, the electronic plumbing fixture
fitting comprises a
discharge outlet and an electronic valve. The discharge outlet is operable to
deliver water. The
electronic valve is operable to permit flow of water through the discharge
outlet when the
electronic valve is activated and to not permit flow of water through the
discharge outlet when
the electronic valve is deactivated. The electronic valve includes a piston
and a seat. The piston
includes a body and a nose. The nose of the piston includes a dome-shaped
portion. The seat
includes a body. The body of the seat includes a central opening extending
therethrough. The
central opening includes an inlet portion and a rounded portion. The nose of
the piston is
operable to be received in and move in and out of the central opening in the
seat.
[0008] In an exemplary embodiment, the electronic plumbing fixture
fitting comprises a
discharge outlet, an electronic valve, a sensor, an electronic control, and a
cable. The discharge
outlet is operable to deliver water. The discharge outlet is located above a
mounting surface for
the fitting. The electronic valve is operable to permit flow of water through
the discharge outlet
when the electronic valve is activated and to not permit flow of water through
the discharge
outlet when the electronic valve is deactivated. The sensor is operable to
send a signal when the
sensor is triggered. The sensor is mounted on an electronic board. The sensor
is located above
the mounting surface. The electronic control is operable to receive the signal
from the sensor
when the sensor is triggered and, in response, send a signal to the electronic
valve to activate the
electronic valve. At least a portion of the electronic control is located
above the mounting
surface. The cable is operable to electrically connect the sensor to the
electronic control. At
least a portion of the cable is operable to electrically connect the sensor to
the portion of the
3
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-23

electronic control located above the mounting surface. The electronic board
and the portion of
the cable operable to electrically connect the sensor to the portion of the
electronic control
located above the mounting surface are integrally formed.
[0009]
In an exemplary embodiment, the electronic plumbing fixture fitting comprises
a
discharge outlet, an electronic valve, a first sensor, a second sensor, an
electronic control, a first
cable, and a second cable. The discharge outlet is operable to deliver water.
The discharge
outlet is located above a mounting surface for the fitting. The electronic
valve is operable to
permit flow of water through the discharge outlet when the electronic valve is
activated and to
not permit flow of water through the discharge outlet when the electronic
valve is deactivated.
The first sensor is operable to send a first signal when the first sensor is
triggered. The first
sensor is mounted on a first electronic board. The first sensor is located
above the mounting
surface. The second sensor is operable to send a second signal when the second
sensor is
triggered. The second sensor is mounted on a second electronic board. The
second sensor is
located above the mounting surface. The electronic control is operable to
receive the first signal
from the first sensor when the first sensor is triggered and, in response,
send a first signal to the
electronic valve to activate the electronic valve. The electronic control is
operable to receive the
second signal from the second sensor when the second sensor is triggered and,
in response, send
a second signal to the electronic valve to activate the electronic valve. At
least a portion of the
electronic control is located above the mounting surface. The first cable is
operable to
electrically connect the first sensor to the second sensor. The first cable is
located above the
mounting surface. The second cable is operable to electrically connect the
second sensor to the
electronic control. At least a portion of the second cable is operable to
electrically connect the
second sensor to the portion of the electronic control located above the
mounting surface. The
4
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-23

first electronic board, the second electronic board, the first cable, and at
least the portion of the
second cable operable to electrically connect the second sensor to the portion
of the electronic
control located above the mounting surface are integrally formed.
[0010]
In an exemplary embodiment, the electronic plumbing fixture fitting comprises
a
discharge outlet, an electronic valve, a first sensor, a second sensor, an
electronic control, a first
cable, and a second cable. The discharge outlet is operable to deliver water.
The discharge
outlet is located above a mounting surface for the fitting. The electronic
valve is operable to
permit flow of water through the discharge outlet when the electronic valve is
activated and to
not permit flow of water through the discharge outlet when the electronic
valve is deactivated.
The first sensor is operable to send a first signal when the first sensor is
triggered. The first
sensor is mounted on a first electronic board. The first sensor is located
above the mounting
surface. The second sensor is operable to send a second signal when the second
sensor is
triggered. The second sensor is mounted on a second electronic board. The
second sensor is
located above the mounting surface. The electronic control is operable to
receive the first signal
from the first sensor when the first sensor is triggered and, in response,
send a first signal to the
electronic valve to activate the electronic valve. The electronic control is
operable to receive the
second signal from the second sensor when the second sensor is triggered and,
in response, send
a second signal to the electronic valve to activate the electronic valve. The
first cable is operable
to electrically connect the first sensor to the second sensor. The first cable
is located above the
mounting surface. The second cable is operable to electrically connect the
second sensor to the
electronic control. At least a portion of the second cable is located above
the mounting surface.
The first electronic board, the second electronic board, and the first cable
are integrally formed.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-23

[0011]
In an exemplary embodiment, the electronic plumbing fixture fitting comprises
a
housing, a mounting shank, an electronic valve, a flow module, and a wand
hose. The housing is
operable to mount above a mounting surface. The housing includes a spout and a
wand. The
wand is operable to pull away from the spout. The wand includes a discharge
outlet operable to
deliver water. The mounting shank is operable to extend downwardly from the
housing. The
mounting shank is operable to extend through and below the mounting surface.
The mounting
shank is operable to extend behind a sink mounted in the mounting surface. The
electronic valve
is operable to permit flow of water through the discharge outlet when the
electronic valve is
activated and to not permit flow of water through the discharge outlet when
the electronic valve
is deactivated. The electronic valve is located inside the flow module. The
flow module
includes a bracket, a hot water inlet, a hot water passage, a cold water
inlet, a cold water passage,
a mixed water outlet, and a mixed water passage. The bracket includes a
mounting portion. The
mounting portion is operable to connect to the mounting shank. The hot water
inlet is operable
to receive hot water from a hot water supply. The hot water passage is
operable to fluidly
connect the hot water inlet and the electronic valve. The cold water inlet is
operable to receive
cold water from a cold water supply. The cold water passage is operable to
fluidly connect the
cold water inlet and the electronic valve. The mixed water outlet is operable
to discharge mixed
water to the discharge outlet. The mixed water passage is operable to fluidly
connect the
electronic valve and the mixed water outlet. The wand hose is operable to
fluidly connect the
mixed water outlet and the wand. The wand hose extends below the mounting
surface and
through the mounting surface and the spout. The flow module is operable to
mount below the
mounting surface and on the mounting shank.
6
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-23

[0012]
In an exemplary embodiment, the electronic plumbing fixture fitting comprises
a
housing, a mounting shank, an electronic valve, a flow module, and a wand
hose. The housing is
operable to mount above a mounting surface. The housing includes a spout and a
wand. The
wand is operable to pull away from the spout. The wand includes a discharge
outlet operable to
deliver water. The mounting shank is operable to extend downwardly from the
housing. The
mounting shank is operable to extend through and below the mounting surface.
The mounting
shank is operable to extend behind a sink mounted in the mounting surface. The
electronic valve
is operable to permit flow of water through the discharge outlet when the
electronic valve is
activated and to not permit flow of water through the discharge outlet when
the electronic valve
is deactivated. The electronic valve is located inside the flow module. The
flow module
includes a bracket, a hot water inlet, a hot water passage, a cold water
inlet, a cold water passage,
a mixed water outlet, and a mixed water passage. The bracket includes a
mounting portion. The
mounting portion is operable to connect to the mounting shank. The mounting
portion includes a
generally C-shaped clip that is operable to connect to the mounting shank. The
hot water inlet is
operable to receive hot water from a hot water supply. The hot water passage
is operable to
fluidly connect the hot water inlet and the electronic valve. The cold water
inlet is operable to
receive cold water from a cold water supply. The cold water passage is
operable to fluidly
connect the cold water inlet and the electronic valve. The mixed water outlet
is operable to
discharge mixed water to the discharge outlet. The mixed water passage is
operable to fluidly
connect the electronic valve and the mixed water outlet. The wand hose is
operable to fluidly
connect the mixed water outlet and the wand. The wand hose extends below the
mounting
surface and through the mounting surface and the spout. The flow module is
operable to mount
below the mounting surface and on the mounting shank.
7
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-23

[0013]
In an exemplary embodiment, the electronic plumbing fixture fitting comprises
a
housing, a mounting shank, an electronic valve, a flow module, and a wand
hose. The housing is
operable to mount above a mounting surface. The housing includes a spout and a
wand. The
wand is operable to pull away from the spout. The wand includes a discharge
outlet operable to
deliver water. The mounting shank is operable to extend downwardly from the
housing. The
mounting shank is operable to extend through and below the mounting surface.
The mounting
shank is operable to extend behind a sink mounted in the mounting surface. The
electronic valve
is operable to permit flow of water through the discharge outlet when the
electronic valve is
activated and to not permit flow of water through the discharge outlet when
the electronic valve
is deactivated. The electronic valve is located inside the flow module. The
flow module
includes a top side, a bottom side, a bracket, a hot water inlet, a hot water
passage, a cold water
inlet, a cold water passage, a mixed water outlet, and a mixed water passage.
The top side is
opposite the bottom side. The bracket extends from the top side of the flow
module. The
bracket includes a mounting portion. The mounting portion is operable to
connect to the
mounting shank. The mounting portion includes a generally C-shaped clip that
is operable to
connect to the mounting shank. The hot water inlet is operable to receive hot
water from a hot
water supply. The hot water inlet is located in the bottom side of the flow
module. The hot
water passage is operable to fluidly connect the hot water inlet and the
electronic valve. The
cold water inlet is operable to receive cold water from a cold water supply.
The cold water inlet
is located in the bottom side of the flow module. The cold water passage is
operable to fluidly
connect the cold water inlet and the electronic valve. The mixed water outlet
is operable to
discharge mixed water to the discharge outlet. The mixed water outlet is
located in the bottom
side of the flow module. The mixed water passage is operable to fluidly
connect the electronic
8
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-23

valve and the mixed water outlet. The wand hose is operable to fluidly connect
the mixed water
outlet and the wand. The wand hose extends below the mounting surface and
through the
mounting surface and the spout. The flow module is operable to mount below the
mounting
surface and on the mounting shank.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of an electronic plumbing
fixture fitting
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] Figure 2 is a perspective view of an electronic faucet according
to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] Figures 3a and 3b include views of an electronic mixing valve,
including a hot
water electronic valve, a cold water electronic valve, and a housing,
according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention - Figure 3a is an exploded perspective
view, and Figure 3b
is a central cross-sectional view;
[0017] Figures 4a-4f include views of the hot/cold water electronic valve
of Figures 3a
and 3b, including a piston and a seat, according to an exemplary embodiment of
the present
invention - Figure 4a is a perspective view, Figure 4b is an exploded
perspective view, Figure 4c
is a front view, Figure 4d is a top view, Figure 4e is a bottom view, and
Figure 4f is a central
cross-sectional view;
[0018] Figures 5a-5g include views of the housing of Figures 3a and 3b,
according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention - Figure 5a is a perspective
view, Figure 5b is a
front view, Figure Sc is a left view, Figure 5d is a right view, Figure 5e is
a top view, Figure 5f is
a bottom view, and Figure 5g is a central cross-sectional view;
9
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-23

[0019] Figures 6a-6e include views of the piston of Figures 4a-4f,
including a body and a
nose, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention - Figure
6a is a perspective
view, Figure 6b is a front view, Figure 6c is a left view, Figure 6d is a
central cross-sectional
view, and Figure 6e is a detailed front view of the nose;
[0020] Figures 7a-7e include views of the seat of Figures 4a-4f,
including a body and
projections, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention -
Figure 7a is a
perspective view, Figure 7b is a front view, Figure 7c is a top view, Figure
7d is a central cross-
sectional view, and Figure 7e is a detailed central cross-sectional view of a
portion of the body;
[0021] Figures 8a-8e include central cross-sectional views of the piston
and the seat of
Figures 6a-6e and 7a-7e during various phases of operation of the hot/cold
water electronic valve
of Figures 4a-4f incorporating the piston and the seat of Figures 6a-6e and 7a-
7e - Figure 8a
shows a completely closed position, Figure 8b shows a cracked open position,
Figure 8c shows
an open position in which flow begins to increase, Figure 8d shows a half open
position, and
Figure 8e shows a completely open position;
[0022] Figures 9a-9d include views of another embodiment of a piston,
including a body
and a nose, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention
- Figure 9a is a
perspective view, Figure 9b is a front view, Figure 9c is a left view, and
Figure 9d is a central
cross-sectional view;
[0023] Figures 10a-10d include views of another embodiment of a seat,
including a body
and projections, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention - Figure
10a is a perspective view, Figure 10b is a front view, Figure 10c is a top
view, and Figure 10d is
a central cross-sectional view;
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-23

[0024] Figures 11 a-11 e include central cross-sectional views of the
piston and the seat of
Figures 9a-9d and 10a-10d during various phases of operation of the hot/cold
water electronic
valve of Figures 4a-4f incorporating the piston and the seat of Figures 9a-9d
and 10a-10d -
Figure 1 la shows a completely closed position, Figure 1 lb shows a cracked
open position,
Figure 11c shows an open position in which flow begins to increase, Figure 11
d shows a half
open position, and Figure 11 e shows a completely open position;
[0025] Figures 12a and 12b include flow rate data for the hot/cold water
electronic valve
of Figures 4a-4f incorporating the piston and the seat of Figures 6a-6e and 7a-
7e - Figure 12a is a
graph showing the flow rate data, and Figure 12b is a chart showing the flow
rate data;
[0026] Figures 13a and 13b include flow rate data for the hot/cold water
electronic valve
of Figures 4a-4f incorporating the piston and the seat of Figures 9a-9d and
10a-10d - Figure 13a
is a graph showing the flow rate data, and Figure 13b is a chart showing the
flow rate data;
[0027] Figure 14a-14c include views of portions of the electronic faucet
of Figure 2,
including electronic boards and cables and a mounting shank, according to an
exemplary
embodiment of the present invention - Figure 14a is an exploded perspective
view, Figure 14b is
an assembled perspective view, and Figure 14c is an exploded perspective view;
[0028] Figures 15a-15d include views of the electronic boards and the
cables of Figures
14a-14c according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention - Figure
15a is a top
view, Figure 15b is a bottom view, Figure 15c is a side view, and Figure 15d
is a detailed view
of the circled section of Figure 15b;
[0029] Figures 16a-16c include views of a flow module according to an
exemplary
embodiment of the present invention - Figure 16a is a top perspective view,
Figure 16b is a
bottom perspective view, and Figure 16c is an exploded bottom perspective
view;
11
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-23

[0030] Figures 17a-17d include additional views of the flow module of
Figures 16a-16c -
Figure 17a is a front view, Figure 17b is a cross-sectional view taken along
the line 17b-17b in
Figure 17a, Figure 17c is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 17c-17c
in Figure 17a, and
Figure 17d is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 17d-17d in Figure
17a;
[0031] Figures 18a-18d include further views of the flow module of
Figures 16a-16c -
Figure 18a is a top view, Figure 18b is a left side view, Figure 18c is a
right side view, and
Figure 18d is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 18d-18d in Figure
18a; and
[0032] Figures 19a and 19b include views of the flow module of Figures
16a-18d
mounted on the mounting shank of Figure 14a - Figure 19a is a bottom
perspective view, and
Figure 19b is a front view.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0033] The present invention provides an electronic plumbing fixture
fitting. In an
exemplary embodiment, the electronic plumbing fixture fitting is an electronic
faucet. However,
one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the electronic plumbing
fixture fitting could be
an electronic showering system, an electronic showerhead, an electronic
handheld shower, an
electronic body spray, an electronic side spray, or any other electronic
plumbing fixture fitting.
[0034] An exemplary embodiment of an electronic plumbing fixture fitting
10, such as an
electronic faucet 12, is illustrated in Figure 1. An exemplary embodiment of
the electronic
faucet 12 is illustrated in Figure 2.
[0035] In the illustrated embodiment, as best shown in Figure 2, the
faucet 12 includes a
hub 14, a spout 16, a flexible hose 18, a wand 20, and a handle 22. An
upstream end of the hub
14 is connected to a mounting surface (such as a counter or sink). An upstream
end of the spout
16 is connected to a downstream end of the hub 14. The spout 16 is operable to
rotate relative to
12
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-23

the hub 14. The flexible hose 18 extends through the hub 14 and the spout 16
and is operable to
move within the hub 14 and the spout 16. An upstream end of the wand 20 is
mounted in a
downstream end of the spout 16 and is connected to a downstream end of the
flexible hose 18. A
downstream end of the wand 20 includes a discharge outlet 24 through which
water is delivered
from the faucet 12. The wand 20 is operable to be pulled away from the spout
16. The handle
22 covers a side opening in the hub 14 and is operable to be moved relative to
the hub 14.
Although the faucet 12 has been described as having a rotatable spout 16, a
pull-out or pull-down
wand 20, and a handle 22 mounted on the hub 14, one of ordinary skill in the
art will appreciate
that the spout 16 could be fixed relative to the hub 14, the faucet 12 may not
include a wand 20,
the handle 22 may be mounted on other locations on the faucet 12 or remote
from the faucet 12,
the faucet 12 could include more than one handle 22, the handle 22 may be any
mechanical
actuation device or user interface, and/or the faucet 12 may not include a
handle 22.
[0036]
Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, as best shown in Figure 1, the
fitting
includes a hot water line 26, a cold water line 28, a mixed water line 30, and
an electronic
mixing valve 32. The electronic mixing valve 32 includes a hot water
electronic valve 34 and a
cold water electronic valve 36. An upstream end of the hot water line 26
connects to a hot water
supply 38, and an upstream end of the cold water line 28 connects to a cold
water supply 40. A
downstream end of the hot water line 26 connects to the electronic mixing
valve 32, and more
specifically, the hot water electronic valve 34. A downstream end of the cold
water line 28
connects to the electronic mixing valve 32 and, more specifically, the cold
water electronic valve
36. An upstream end of the mixed water line 30 connects to the electronic
mixing valve 32. A
downstream end of the mixed water line 30 connects to the discharge outlet 24.
In the illustrated
embodiments, at least a portion of the mixed water line 30 is the flexible
hose 18. As stated
13
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-23

above, the downstream end of the flexible hose 18 connects to the upstream end
of the wand 20.
Although the faucet 12 has been described as including a hot water electronic
valve 34 and a
cold water electronic valve 36, one of ordinary skill in the art will
appreciate that the faucet 12
could include one or more electronic valves and/or the faucet 12 could include
one or more
mechanical valves in series or in parallel with the electronic valve(s).
[0037] In an exemplary embodiment, the hot water electronic valve 34 and
the cold water
electronic valve 36 are proportional valves and, more specifically, stepper
motor actuated valves.
However, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that, in some
embodiments, the
electronic valves could be any type of electronic valves.
[0038] Further, in the illustrated embodiments, as best shown in Figures
1 and 2, the
fitting 10 includes an activation sensor 42, such as a toggle sensor 44 and a
presence sensor 46 of
the faucet 12.
[0039] In an exemplary embodiment, the toggle sensor 44 is a proximity
sensor and, in
particular, an infrared sensor. The toggle sensor 44 is also referred to as a
latching sensor and a
sustained-flow sensor. In the illustrated embodiment, the toggle sensor 44 is
mounted on an
apex of the spout 16. The toggle sensor 44 defines a toggle zone. In an
exemplary embodiment,
the toggle sensor 44 is operable to activate the hot water electronic valve 34
and the cold water
electronic valve 36 when an object enters the toggle zone and to deactivate
the hot water
electronic valve 34 and the cold water electronic valve 36 when the object
exits and reenters the
toggle zone. As used herein, an "object" can be any portion of a user's body
or any item used by
the user to trigger the toggle sensor 44. In an exemplary embodiment, the
toggle zone extends
generally upwardly from the toggle sensor 44. Additionally, in an exemplary
embodiment, the
toggle zone has a generally cone-like shape.
14
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-23

[0040] In an exemplary embodiment, the presence sensor 46 is a proximity
sensor, and,
in particular, an infrared sensor. The presence sensor 46 is also referred to
as a quick-strike
sensor. In the illustrated embodiment, the presence sensor 46 is mounted on
the upstream end of
the spout 16. The presence sensor 46 defines a presence zone. In an exemplary
embodiment, the
presence sensor 46 is operable to activate the hot water electronic valve 34
and the cold water
electronic valve 36 when an object enters the presence zone and to deactivate
the hot water
electronic valve 34 and the cold water electronic valve 36 when the object
exits the presence
zone. Again, as used herein, an "object" can be any portion of a user's body
or any item used by
the user to trigger the presence sensor 46. In an exemplary embodiment, the
presence zone
extends generally horizontally from the presence sensor 46. Additionally, in
an exemplary
embodiment, the presence zone has a generally cone-like shape.
[0041] As described above, the toggle sensor 44 and the presence sensor
46 are proximity
sensors and, in particular, infrared sensors. Proximity sensors are sensors
that detect the
presence of an object without any physical contact. However, one of ordinary
skill in the art will
appreciate that the toggle sensor 44 and the presence sensor 46 could be any
type of electronic
sensors that can be triggered, including, but not limited to, other proximity
sensors, touch
sensors, and image sensors. Exemplary electronic sensors include, but are not
limited to,
electromagnetic radiation sensors (such as optical sensors and radar sensors),
capacitance
sensors, inductance sensors, piezo-electric sensors, and multi-pixel optical
sensors (such as
camera sensors). Moreover, the toggle sensor 44 and the presence sensor 46 may
not be the
same type of sensor. As further described above, the toggle sensor 44 is
mounted on the apex of
the spout 16 and the presence sensor 46 is mounted on the upstream end of the
spout 16.
However, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the toggle
sensor 44 and the
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-23

presence sensor 46 could be mounted in any location on the faucet 12 or in a
location remote
from the faucet 12. Furthermore, the toggle sensor 44 and the presence sensor
46 may be located
in close proximity to each other or fairly remote from each other.
[0042] Similarly, as described above, the sensors are a toggle sensor 44
and a presence
sensor 46. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the
toggle sensor 44 and
the presence sensor 46 could be any type of sensors that provide information
useful in
determining whether to activate or deactivate the hot water electronic valve
34 and the cold
water electronic valve 36, including, but not limited to, flow sensors,
pressure sensors,
temperature sensors, and position sensors. Moreover, the toggle sensor 44 and
the presence
sensor 46 may be the same type of sensor.
[0043] Further, in the illustrated embodiment, as best shown in Figure 1,
the fitting 10
includes a parameter sensor 48. In an exemplary embodiment, the parameter
sensor 48 is
operable to detect movement of the handle 22 and to provide information to set
at least one
parameter of water flowing through the hot water electronic valve 34 and the
cold water
electronic valve 36 based on the movement of the handle 22. The parameter
sensor 48 is
operable to detect movement of the handle 22 either directly or indirectly. In
an exemplary
embodiment, based on the movement of the handle 22, the parameter sensor 48
provides
information to set a temperature and/or a volume of water flowing through the
hot water
electronic valve 34 and the cold water electronic valve 36.
[0044] In the illustrated embodiments, the handle 22 operates as it would
with a standard
faucet. In other words, the handle 22 can be moved between various positions
to indicate a
desired temperature and volume of water discharged from the faucet 12.
16
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-23

[0045] More specifically, with regard to the temperature of water, the
handle 22 can be
rotated about a longitudinal axis of the side opening in the hub 14. At one
extent of a range of
rotation, the position of the handle 22 indicates all hot water (a full hot
position). At the other
extent of the range of rotation, the position of the handle 22 indicates all
cold water (a full cold
position). In between the extents of the range of rotation, the position of
the handle 22 indicates
a mix of hot and cold water (mixed temperature positions) with hotter
temperature water as the
position nears the full hot extent of the range of rotation and colder
temperature water as the
position nears the full cold extent of the range of rotation.
[0046] With regard to the volume of water, the handle 22 can be moved
toward and away
from the side opening in the hub 14. At one extent of a range of movement, the
position of the
handle 22 indicates no volume of water (a full closed position). At the other
extent of the range
of movement, the position of the handle 22 indicates full volume of water (a
full open position).
In between the extents of the range of movement, the position of the handle 22
indicates an
intermediate volume of water (less than full open positions) with reduced
volume water as the
position nears the full closed extent of the range of movement and increased
volume water as the
position nears the full open extent of the range of movement.
[0047] Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, as best shown in
Figure 2, the
electronic faucet 12 includes a flow module 50, an electronics module 52, and
a power module
54. The flow module 50 includes a number of inlets and outlets and a number of
flow passages.
These inlets/outlets and flow passages enable the easy management of the flow
between the
incoming supplies (i.e., the hot water supply 38 and the cold water supply 40)
and the wand 20.
In the illustrated embodiment, the hot water electronic valve 34 and the cold
water electronic
valve 36 are located inside the flow module 50. The electronics module 52
includes a number of
17
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-23

electronic components. These components enable the activation and deactivation
of the hot
water electronic valve 34 and the cold water electronic valve 36. In the
illustrated embodiment,
the electronics module 52 is connected to the flow module 50. The power module
54 provides
electrical power to electronic components of the faucet 12.
[0048] Further, in the illustrated embodiment, as best shown in Figure 1,
the fitting 10
includes an electronic control 56. The electronic control 56 receives
information (such as
signals) from the toggle sensor 44 and the presence sensor 46 to activate and
deactivate the hot
water electronic valve 34 and the cold water electronic valve 36. Moreover,
the electronic
control 56 receives information (such as signals) from the parameter sensor 48
to set parameters
(such as the temperature and the volume) of water flowing through the hot
water electronic valve
34 and the cold water electronic valve 36. In an exemplary embodiment, at
least a portion of the
electronic control 56 is located inside the electronics module 52. Although
the fitting 10 has
been described as having a separate electronic control 56, one of ordinary
skill in the art will
appreciate that the electronic control 56 could be incorporated into the
toggle sensor 44, the
presence sensor 46, and/or the parameter sensor 48.
[0049] In an exemplary embodiment, as best shown in Figures 3a-3b and 5a-
5g, the
electronic mixing valve 32 includes the hot water electronic valve 34, the
cold water electronic
valve 36, and a housing 58. The housing 58 includes a hot water inlet 60, a
cold water inlet 62, a
hot water electronic valve chamber 64, a cold water electronic valve chamber
66, a mixing
chamber 68, and an outlet 70. The hot water electronic valve 34 is operable to
be received in the
hot water electronic valve chamber 64, and the cold water electronic valve 36
is operable to be
received in the cold water electronic valve chamber 66.
18
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-23

[0050] In an exemplary embodiment, the hot water electronic valve 34 and
the cold water
electronic valve 36 are the same type of valve, i.e., a proportional valve
and, more specifically, a
stepper motor actuated valve. The following description of the electronic
valve applies to both
the hot water electronic valve 34 and the cold water electronic valve 36.
[0051] In an exemplary embodiment, as best shown in Figures 3a-5g, the
hot/cold water
electronic valve 34/36 includes a stepper motor 72, an upper housing 74, a
lower housing
76h/76c, a piston 78, a seat 80, and various sealing members 82, such as 0-
rings. The motor 72
includes a shaft 84.
[0052] In an exemplary embodiment, as best shown in Figures 5a-5g, the
lower housing
76h/76c of the hot/cold water electronic valve 34/36 is integral with the
housing 58 of the
electronic mixing valve 32. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will
appreciate that the
lower housing 76h/76c of the hot/cold water electronic valve 34/36 could be
separate from the
housing 58 of the electronic mixing valve 32.
[0053] In an exemplary embodiment, as best shown in Figures 6a-6e, the
piston 78
includes a body 86 and a nose 88. In the illustrated embodiment, the body 86
is generally
cylindrical shaped. More specifically, the body 86 is a hexagonal prism. The
body 86 includes a
recess 90 that is operable to receive a portion of the shaft 84. In the
illustrated embodiment, the
nose 88 includes a sealing member groove 92, a first conical portion 94, a
cylindrical portion 96,
and a second conical portion 98. The sealing member groove 92 is operable to
receive the
sealing member 82, such as an 0-ring. Although the nose 88 of the piston 78
has been described
as including specific portions, one of ordinary skill in the art will
appreciate that the nose 88 of
the piston 78 does not need to include each of these portions. For example,
the nose 88 of the
piston 78 may not include a second conical portion 98.
19
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-23

[0054] In an exemplary embodiment, as best shown in Figures 7a-7e, the
seat 80 includes
a body 100 and a plurality of projections 102 extending therefrom. In the
illustrated
embodiment, the body 100 is generally cylindrical shaped. In the illustrated
embodiment, the
seat 80 includes four projections 102 extending from the body 100. The
projections 102 are
operable to connect the seat 80 to the lower housing 76h/76c. The body 100
includes a central
opening 104 extending therethrough. In the illustrated embodiment, the central
opening 104 in
the body 100 includes an inlet portion 106, a first cylindrical portion 108, a
conical portion 110,
a second cylindrical portion 112, and an outlet portion 114. The nose 88 of
the piston 78 is
operable to be received in and move in and out of the central opening 104 in
the seat 80.
Although the central opening 104 in the seat 80 has been described as
including specific
portions, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the central
opening 104 in the seat 80
does not need to include each of these portions. For example, the central
opening 104 in the seat
80 may not include a first cylindrical portion 112 and an outlet portion 114.
[0055] The conical portion 110 of the seat 80 has an angle 116, and the
second conical
portion 98 of the piston 78 has an angle 118. As best shown in Figure 7d, the
angle 116 of the
conical portion 110 of the seat 80 is an angle between: (1) a central
longitudinal axis of the seat
80, and (2) a line extending along the conical portion 110 of the seat 80. The
central longitudinal
axis of the seat 80 and the line extending along the conical portion 110 of
the seat 80 extend in a
common plane. As best shown in Figure 6d, the angle 118 of the second conical
portion 98 of
the piston 78 is an angle between: (1) a central longitudinal axis of the
piston 78, and (2) a line
extending along the second conical portion 98 of the piston 78. The central
longitudinal axis of
the piston 78 and the line extending along the second conical portion 98 of
the piston 78 extend
in a common plane. In an exemplary embodiment, the angle 116 of the conical
portion 110 of
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-23

the seat 80 is less than the angle 118 of the second conical portion 98 of the
piston 78. In the
illustrated embodiment, the angle 116 of the conical portion 110 of the seat
80 is approximately
twenty-two and one-half degrees (22.5'). In the illustrated embodiment, the
angle 118 of the
second conical portion 98 of the piston 78 is approximately thirty degrees (30
).
[0056] The inlet portion 106 of the seat 80 has an angle 120. As best
shown in Figure 7d,
the angle 120 of the inlet portion 106 of the seat 80 is an angle between: (1)
the central
longitudinal axis of the seat 80, and (2) a line extending along the inlet
portion 106 of the seat
80. The central longitudinal axis of the seat 80 and the line extending along
the inlet portion 106
of the seat 80 extend in a common plane. In an exemplary embodiment, the angle
120 of the
inlet portion 106 of the seat 80 is between approximately twenty-five degrees
and seventy-five
degrees (25 -75 ). In an exemplary embodiment, the angle 120 of the inlet
portion 106 of the
seat 80 is between approximately thirty-five degrees and fifty-five degrees
(35 -55 ). In an
exemplary embodiment, the angle 120 of the inlet portion 106 of the seat 80 is
between
approximately forty degrees and fifty degrees (40 -50 ). In the illustrated
embodiment, the angle
120 of the inlet portion 106 of the seat 80 is approximately forty-five
degrees (45 ).
[0057] In an exemplary embodiment, a geometry of the nose 88 of the
piston 78
generally corresponds to a geometry of the central opening 104 in the seat 80.
More specifically,
in the illustrated embodiment, as best shown in Figures 8a-8e, a geometry of
the first conical
portion 94 and the cylindrical portion 96 of the piston 78 generally
corresponds to a geometry of
the conical portion 110 and the second cylindrical portion 112 of the seat 80.
Even more
specifically, opposing surfaces of the first conical portion 94 and the
cylindrical portion 96 of the
piston 78 and the conical portion 110 and the second cylindrical portion 112
of the seat 80 are
generally parallel.
21
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-23

[0058] During operation of the hot/cold water electronic valve 34/36
including the piston
78 and the seat 80, as best shown in Figures 8a-8e, the hot/cold water
electronic valve 34/36
moves from a completely closed position to a completely open position. In the
completely
closed position, no fluid flows through the hot/cold water electronic valve
34/36. In the
completely open position, a maximum amount of fluid flows through the hot/cold
water
electronic valve 34/36. Between the completely closed position and the
completely open
position, an increasing amount of fluid flows through the hot/cold water
electronic valve 34/36.
[0059] In the completely closed position, the sealing member 82 on the
piston 78 is in
sealing contact with the inlet portion 106 of the seat 80. Additionally, the
first conical portion 94
and the cylindrical portion 96 of the piston 78 interface with the conical
portion 110 and the
second cylindrical portion 112 of the seat 80. As a result of the sealing
contact between the
sealing member 82 on the piston 78 and the inlet portion 106 of the seat 80,
no fluid flows
through the hot/cold water electronic valve 34/36.
[0060] As the piston 78 starts to move out of the seat 80, the sealing
member 82 on the
piston 78 loses sealing contact with the inlet portion 106 of the seat 80.
Additionally, the first
conical portion 94 and the cylindrical portion 96 of the piston 78 move away
from the conical
portion 110 and the second cylindrical portion 112 of the seat 80. As a result
of the sealing
member 82 on the piston 78 losing sealing contact with the inlet portion 106
of the seat 80, fluid
starts to flow through the hot/cold water electronic valve 34/36.
[0061] As the piston 78 moves further out of the seat 80, the sealing
member 82 on the
piston 78 moves further away from the inlet portion 106 of the seat 80.
Additionally, the first
conical portion 94 and the cylindrical portion 96 of the piston 78 move
further away from the
22
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-23

conical portion 110 and the second cylindrical portion 112 of the seat 80. As
a result, an
increasing amount of fluid flows through the hot/cold water electronic valve
34/36.
[0062] In the completely open position, the sealing member 82 on the
piston 78 is
furthest away from the inlet portion 106 of the seat 80. Additionally, the
first conical portion 94
and the cylindrical portion 96 of the piston 78 are furthest away from the
conical portion 110 and
the second cylindrical portion 112 of the seat 80. As a result, the maximum
amount of fluid
flows through the hot/cold water electronic valve 34/36.
[0063] In the illustrated embodiment, as best shown in Figures 8a-8e, the
hot/cold water
electronic valve 34/36 has a sealing zone SZ. The sealing zone SZ is static.
The sealing zone SZ
is a region where the sealing member 82 on the piston 78 interfaces with the
inlet portion 106 of
the seat 80. More specifically, the sealing zone SZ is the region where the
sealing member 82 on
the piston 78 is in contact with the inlet portion 106 of the seat 80. As
stated above, when the
sealing member 82 on the piston 78 is in contact with the inlet portion 106 of
the seat 80, the
hot/cold water electronic valve 34/36 is sealed and no fluid flows through the
hot/cold water
electronic valve 34/36. When the sealing member 82 on the piston 78 is not in
contact with the
inlet portion 106 of the seat 80, the hot/cold water electronic valve 34/36 is
not sealed and a
varying amount of fluid flows through the hot/cold water electronic valve
34/36 (depending on
the position of the piston 78 relative to the seat 80).
[0064] In the illustrated embodiment, as best shown in Figures 8a-8e, the
hot/cold water
electronic valve 34/36 also has a flow control zone FCZ. The flow control zone
FCZ is dynamic.
At any given position of the piston 78 relative to the seat 80, the flow
control zone FCZ is a
region where the downstream end of the cylindrical portion 96 of the piston 78
interfaces with
the seat 80. More specifically, the flow control zone FCZ is the region where
the downstream
23
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-23

end of the cylindrical portion 96 of the piston 78 is at a minimum distance
from the seat 80. In
the completely closed position, the downstream end of the cylindrical portion
96 of the piston 78
interfaces with the downstream end of the second cylindrical portion 112 of
the seat 80. As the
hot/cold water electronic valve 34/36 opens, the downstream end of the
cylindrical portion 96 of
the piston 78 interfaces with the second cylindrical portion 112 of the seat
80 and then the
conical portion 110 of the seat 80. In the completely open position, the
downstream end of the
cylindrical portion 96 of the piston 78 interfaces with the conical portion
110 of the seat 80.
[0065] In an exemplary embodiment, as best shown in Figures 8a-8e, the
sealing zone SZ
is separate from the flow control zone FCZ. In an exemplary embodiment, as
best shown in
Figures 8a-8e, the sealing zone SZ is upstream of the flow control zone. More
specifically, when
the hot/cold water electronic valve 34/36 is completely closed, the sealing
zone SZ is separate
from and upstream of the flow control zone FCZ1 (see Figure 8a); as the
hot/cold water
electronic valve 34/36 opens, the sealing zone SZ is separate from and
upstream of the flow
control zone FCZ2 (see Figure 8b); as the hot/cold water electronic valve
34/36 further opens,
the sealing zone SZ is separate from and upstream of the flow control zone
FCZ3 (the flow
control zone FCZ3 moves upstream along the second cylindrical portion 112 and
then the conical
portion 110 of the seat 80 as the hot/cold water electronic valve 34/36
further opens) (see Figures
8c and 8d); and when the hot/cold water electronic valve 34/36 is completely
open, the sealing
zone SZ is separate from and upstream of the flow control zone FCZ4 (see
Figure 8e).
[0066] Although the hot/cold water electronic valve 34/36 has been
described as having a
sealing zone SZ where the sealing member 82 on the piston 78 interfaces with
the inlet portion
106 of the seat 80, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the
sealing member 82
could be on the seat 80 and interface with the nose 88 of the piston 78.
Additionally, although
24
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-23

the hot/cold water electronic valve 34/36 has been described as including a
sealing member 82,
such as an 0-ring, in the sealing member groove 92 on the piston 78, one of
ordinary skill in the
art will appreciate that the sealing member 82 could be integrally formed with
the piston 78 (or
the seat 80 if the sealing member 82 is on the seat 80). Further, one of
ordinary skill in the art
will appreciate that the piston 78 (or the seat 80 if the sealing member 82 is
on the seat 80) does
not need to include a sealing member groove 92.
[0067] In an exemplary embodiment, the hot/cold water electronic valve
34/36 including
the piston 78 and the seat 80 has a sealing zone. The sealing zone is static.
The sealing zone is a
region where a sealing member 82 on one of the piston 78 and the seat 80
interfaces with the
other of the piston 78 and the seat 80. More specifically, the sealing zone is
the region where the
sealing member 82 on one of the piston 78 and the seat 80 is in contact with
the other of the
piston 78 and the seat 80. When the sealing member 82 on one of the piston 78
and the seat 80 is
in contact with the other of the piston 78 and the seat 80, the hot/cold water
electronic valve
34/36 is sealed and no fluid flows through the hot/cold water electronic valve
34/36. When the
sealing member 82 on one of the piston 78 and the seat 80 is not in contact
with the other of the
piston 78 and the seat 80, the hot/cold water electronic valve 34/36 is not
sealed and a varying
amount of fluid flows through the hot/cold water electronic valve 34/36
(depending on the
position of the piston 78 relative to the seat 80).
[0068] In an exemplary embodiment, the hot/cold water electronic valve
34/36 including
the piston 78 and the seat 80 has a flow control zone. The flow control zone
is dynamic. At any
given position of the piston 78 relative to the seat 80, the flow control zone
is a region where a
portion of the piston 78 interfaces with a portion of the seat 80. More
specifically, the flow
control zone is the region where the portion of the piston 78 is at a minimum
distance from the
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-23

portion of the seat 80. Even more specifically, the flow control zone is the
region where a
distance between the portion of the piston 78 and the portion of the seat 80
is less than a distance
between any other portion of the piston 78 and any other portion of the seat
80.
[0069] In another exemplary embodiment, as best shown in Figures 9a-9d,
the piston 78'
includes a body 86' and a nose 88'. In the illustrated embodiment, the body
86' is generally
cylindrical shaped. More specifically, the body 86' is a hexagonal prism. The
body 86' includes
a recess 90' that is operable to receive a portion of the shaft 84. In the
illustrated embodiment,
the nose 88' includes a sealing member groove 92' and a dome-shaped portion
122. The sealing
member groove 92' is operable to receive the sealing member 82, such as an 0-
ring.
[0070] In another exemplary embodiment, as best shown in Figures 10a-10d,
the seat 80'
includes a body 100' and a plurality of projections 102' extending therefrom.
In the illustrated
embodiment, the body 100' is generally cylindrical shaped. In the illustrated
embodiment, the
seat 80' includes four projections 102' extending from the body 100'. The
projections 102' are
operable to connect the seat 80' to the lower housing 76h/76c. The body 100'
includes a central
opening 104' extending therethrough. In the illustrated embodiment, the
central opening 104' in
the body 100' includes an inlet portion 106', a rounded portion 124, and an
outlet portion 114'.
The nose 88' of the piston 78' is operable to be received in and move in and
out of the central
opening 104' in the seat 80'. Although the central opening 104' in the seat
80' has been
described as including specific portions, one of ordinary skill in the art
will appreciate that the
central opening 104' in the seat 80' does not need to include each of these
portions. For
example, the central opening 104' in the seat 80' may not include an outlet
portion 114'.
[0071] During operation of the hot/cold water electronic valve 34/36
including the piston
78' and the seat 80', as best shown in Figures 1 1 a-1 1 e, the hot/cold water
electronic valve 34/36
26
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-23

moves from a completely closed position to a completely open position. In the
completely
closed position, no fluid flows through the hot/cold water electronic valve
34/36. In the
completely open position, a maximum amount of fluid flows through the hot/cold
water
electronic valve 34/36. Between the completely closed position and the
completely open
position, an increasing amount of fluid flows through the hot/cold water
electronic valve 34/36.
[0072] In the completely closed position, the sealing member 82 on the
piston 78' is in
sealing contact with the inlet portion 106' of the seat 80'. Additionally, the
dome-shaped portion
122 of the piston 78' interfaces with the rounded portion 124 of the seat 80'.
As a result of the
sealing contact between the sealing member 82 on the piston 78' and the inlet
portion 106' of the
seat 80', no fluid flows through the hot/cold water electronic valve 34/36.
[0073] As the piston 78' starts to move out of the seat 80', the sealing
member 82 on the
piston 78' loses sealing contact with the inlet portion 106' of the seat 80'.
Additionally, the
dome-shaped portion 122 of the piston 78' moves along the rounded portion 124
of the seat 80'.
As a result of the sealing member 82 on the piston 78' losing sealing contact
with the inlet
portion 106' of the seat 80', fluid starts to flow through the hot/cold water
electronic valve 34/36.
[0074] As the piston 78' moves further out of the seat 80', the sealing
member 82 on the
piston 78' moves further away from the inlet portion 106' of the seat 80'.
Additionally, the
dome-shaped portion 122 of the piston 78' moves further away from the rounded
portion 124 of
the seat 80'. As a result, an increasing amount of fluid flows through the
hot/cold water
electronic valve 34/36.
[0075] In the completely open position, the sealing member 82 on the
piston 78' is
furthest away from the inlet portion 106' of the seat 80'. Additionally, the
dome-shaped portion
27
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-23

122 of the piston 78' is furthest away from the rounded portion 124 of the
seat 80'. As a result,
the maximum amount of fluid flows through the hot/cold water electronic valve
34/36.
[0076] In the illustrated embodiment, as best shown in Figures ha-1 le,
the hot/cold
water electronic valve 34/36 has a sealing zone SZ. The sealing zone SZ is
static. The sealing
zone SZ is a region where the sealing member 82 on the piston 78' interfaces
with the inlet
portion 106' of the seat 80'. More specifically, the sealing zone SZ is the
region where the
sealing member 82 on the piston 78' is in contact with the inlet portion 106'
of the seat 80'. As
stated above, when the sealing member 82 on the piston 78' is in contact with
the inlet portion
106' of the seat 80', the hot/cold water electronic valve 34/36 is sealed and
no fluid flows
through the hot/cold water electronic valve 34/36. When the sealing member 82
on the piston
78' is not in contact with the inlet portion 106' of the seat 80', the
hot/cold water electronic valve
34/36 is not sealed and a varying amount of fluid flows through the hot/cold
water electronic
valve 34/36 (depending on the position of the piston 78' relative to the seat
80').
[0077] In the illustrated embodiment, as best shown in Figures ha-1 le,
the hot/cold
water electronic valve 34/36 also has a flow control zone FCZ. The flow
control zone is
dynamic. At any given position of the piston 78' relative to the seat 80', the
flow control zone
FCZ is a region where the dome-shaped portion 122 of the piston 78' interfaces
with the seat 80'.
More specifically, the flow control zone FCZ is the region where the dome-
shaped portion 122
of the piston 78' is at a minimum distance from the seat 80'. In the
completely closed position,
the dome-shaped portion 122 of the piston 78' interfaces with the rounded
portion 124 of the seat
80'. As the hot/cold water electronic valve 34/36 opens, the dome-shaped
portion 122 of the
piston 78' moves along the rounded portion 124 of the seat 80'. In the
completely open position,
28
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-23

the dome-shaped portion 122 of the piston 78' is furthest away from the
rounded portion 124 of
the seat 80'.
[0078] In an exemplary embodiment, as best shown in Figures 11 a-11 e,
the sealing zone
SZ is separate from the flow control zone FCZ. In an exemplary embodiment, as
best shown in
Figures 1 la-1 le, the sealing zone SZ is upstream of the flow control zone
FCZ. More
specifically, when the hot/cold water electronic valve 34/36 is completely
closed, the sealing
zone SZ is separate from and upstream of the flow control zone FCZ1 (see
Figure 11a); as the
hot/cold water electronic valve 34/36 opens, the sealing zone SZ is separate
from and upstream
of the flow control zone FCZ2 (see Figure 11b); as the hot/cold water
electronic valve 34/36
further opens, the sealing zone SZ is separate from and upstream of the flow
control zone FCZ3
(the flow control zone FCZ3 moves upstream along the rounded portion 124 of
the seat 80' as
the hot/cold water electronic valve 34/36 further opens) (see Figures 11c and
11d); and when the
hot/cold water electronic valve 34/36 is completely open, the sealing zone SZ
is separate from
and upstream of the flow control zone FCZ4 (see Figure lie).
[0079] Although the hot/cold water electronic valve 34/36 has been
described as having a
sealing zone SZ where the sealing member 82 on the piston 78' interfaces with
the inlet portion
106' of the seat 80', one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that
the sealing member 82
could be on the seat 80' and interface with the nose 88' of the piston 78'.
Additionally, although
the hot/cold water electronic valve 34/36 has been described as including a
sealing member 82,
such as an 0-ring, in the sealing member groove 92' on the piston 78', one of
ordinary skill in
the art will appreciate that the sealing member 82 could be integrally formed
with the piston 78'
(or the seat 80' if the sealing member 82 is on the seat 80'). Further, one of
ordinary skill in the
29
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-23

art will appreciate that the piston 78' (or the seat 80' if the sealing member
82 is on the seat 80')
does not need to include a sealing member groove 92'.
[0080] In an exemplary embodiment, the hot/cold water electronic valve
34/36 including
the piston 78' and the seat 80' has a sealing zone. The sealing zone is
static. The sealing zone is
a region where a sealing member 82 on one of the piston 78' and the seat 80'
interfaces with the
other of the piston 78' and the seat 80'. More specifically, the sealing zone
is the region where
the sealing member 82 on one of the piston 78' and the seat 80' is in contact
with the other of the
piston 78' and the seat 80'. When the sealing member 82 on one of the piston
78' and the seat
80' is in contact with the other of the piston 78' and the seat 80', the
hot/cold water electronic
valve 34/36 is sealed and no fluid flows through the hot/cold water electronic
valve 34/36.
When the sealing member 82 on one of the piston 78' and the seat 80' is not in
contact with the
other of the piston 78' and the seat 80', the hot/cold water electronic valve
34/36 is not sealed
and a varying amount of fluid flows through the hot/cold water electronic
valve 34/36
(depending on the position of the piston 78' relative to the seat 80').
[0081] In an exemplary embodiment, the hot/cold water electronic valve
34/36 including
the piston 78' and the seat 80' has a flow control zone. The flow control zone
is dynamic. At
any given position of the piston 78' relative to the seat 80', the flow
control zone is a region
where a portion of the piston 78' interfaces with a portion of the seat 80'.
More specifically, the
flow control zone is the region where the portion of the piston 78' is at a
minimum distance from
the portion of the seat 80'. Even more specifically, the flow control zone is
the region where a
distance between the portion of the piston 78' and the portion of the seat 80'
is less than a
distance between any other portion of the piston 78' and any other portion of
the seat 80'.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-23

[0082] Although the electronic plumbing fixture fitting 10 has been
described as
including an electronic mixing valve 32 and the electronic mixing valve 32 has
been described as
including a hot water electronic valve 34 and a cold water electronic valve
36, one of ordinary
skill in the art will appreciate that the electronic valve could be used as a
shutoff valve in
addition to or in place of the mixing valve. Additionally, when the electronic
valve is used as a
shutoff valve, the seat 80/80' could be integrated into the valve housing.
[0083] During operation of the hot/cold water electronic valve 34/36
including the piston
78 and the seat 80, as best shown in Figures 12a and 12b, a flow rate through
the hot/cold water
electronic valve 34/36 generally increases with each step of the motor 72. In
this embodiment, a
maximum number of steps provided by the motor 72 is eighty (80) steps. As a
result, a first
twenty-five percent (25%) of the maximum number of steps provided by the motor
72 is a first
twenty (20) steps. With a supply line pressure of approximately forty-five
pounds per square
inch (45 psi) and no restriction on the flow downstream of the valve, a
maximum flow rate
through the hot/cold water electronic valve 34/36 at the maximum number of
steps is
approximately one and one-half gallons per minute (1.5 gpm). As a result,
twenty-five percent
(25%) of the maximum flow rate provided by the hot/cold water electronic valve
34/36 is
approximately three-hundred seventy-five thousandths gallons per minute (0.375
gpm), twenty
percent (20%) of the maximum flow rate provided by the hot/cold water
electronic valve 34/36 is
approximately three-tenths gallons per minute (0.3 gpm), and fifteen percent
(15%) of the
maximum flow rate provided by the hot/cold water electronic valve 34/36 is
approximately two-
hundred twenty-five thousandths gallons per minute (0.225 gpm).
[0084] During operation of the hot/cold water electronic valve 34/36
including the piston
78 and the seat 80, with a supply line pressure of approximately forty-five
pounds per square
31
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-23

inch (45 psi) and no restriction on the flow downstream of the valve, for the
first twenty-five
percent (25%) of the maximum number of steps provided by the motor 72, the
flow rate through
the hot/cold water electronic valve 34/36 does not exceed approximately twenty-
five percent
(25%) of the maximum flow rate provided by the hot/cold water electronic valve
34/36. In
another exemplary embodiment, with a supply line pressure of approximately
forty-five pounds
per square inch (45 psi) and no restriction on the flow downstream of the
valve, for the first
twenty-five percent (25%) of the maximum number of steps provided by the motor
72, the flow
rate through the hot/cold water electronic valve 34/36 does not exceed
approximately twenty
percent (20%) of the maximum flow rate provided by the hot/cold water
electronic valve 34/36.
In another exemplary embodiment, with a supply line pressure of approximately
forty-five
pounds per square inch (45 psi) and no restriction on the flow downstream of
the valve, for the
first twenty-five percent (25%) of the maximum number of steps provided by the
motor 72, the
flow rate through the hot/cold water electronic valve 34/36 does not exceed
approximately
fifteen percent (15%) of the maximum flow rate provided by the hot/cold water
electronic valve
34/36.
[0085]
During operation of the hot/cold water electronic valve 34/36 including the
piston
78 and the seat 80, with a supply line pressure of approximately forty-five
pounds per square
inch (45 psi) and no restriction on the flow downstream of the valve, for the
first twenty-five
percent (25%) of the maximum number of steps provided by the motor 72, the
flow rate through
the hot/cold water electronic valve 34/36 does not exceed approximately six
tenths gallons per
minute (0.6 gpm). In another exemplary embodiment, with a supply line pressure
of
approximately forty-five pounds per square inch (45 psi) and no restriction on
the flow
downstream of the valve, for the first twenty-five percent (25%) of the
maximum number of
32
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-23

steps provided by the motor 72, the flow rate through the hot/cold water
electronic valve 34/36
does not exceed approximately five tenths gallons per minute (0.5 gpm). In
another exemplary
embodiment, with a supply line pressure of approximately forty-five pounds per
square inch (45
psi) and no restriction on the flow downstream of the valve, for the first
twenty-five percent
(25%) of the maximum number of steps provided by the motor 72, the flow rate
through the
hot/cold water electronic valve 34/36 does not exceed approximately four
tenths gallons per
minute (0.4 gpm). In another exemplary embodiment, with a supply line pressure
of
approximately forty-five pounds per square inch (45 psi) and no restriction on
the flow
downstream of the valve, for the first twenty-five percent (25%) of the
maximum number of
steps provided by the motor 72, the flow rate through the hot/cold water
electronic valve 34/36
does not exceed approximately three tenths gallons per minute (0.3 gpm). In
another exemplary
embodiment, with a supply line pressure of approximately forty-five pounds per
square inch (45
psi) and no restriction on the flow downstream of the valve, for the first
twenty-five percent
(25%) of the maximum number of steps provided by the motor 72, the flow rate
through the
hot/cold water electronic valve 34/36 does not exceed approximately two tenths
gallons per
minute (0.2 gpm).
[0086]
During operation of the hot/cold water electronic valve 34/36 including the
piston
78' and the seat 80', as best shown in Figures 13a and 13b, a flow rate
through the hot/cold water
electronic valve 34/36 generally increases with each step of the motor 72. In
this embodiment, a
maximum number of steps provided by the motor 72 is two-hundred fifty (250)
steps. As a
result, a middle seventy percent (70%) of the maximum number of steps provided
by the motor
72 is a middle one-hundred seventy-five (175) steps (from step 38 to step 210
which will be
approximated as step 40 to step 215 for purposes of any flow rate
calculations). With a supply
33
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-23

line pressure of approximately forty-five pounds per square inch (45 psi) and
no restriction on
the flow downstream of the valve, a maximum flow rate through the hot/cold
water electronic
valve 34/36 at the maximum number of steps is approximately nine and one-half
gallons per
minute (9.5 gpm).
[0087]
During operation of the hot/cold water electronic valve 34/36 including the
piston
78' and the seat 80', with a supply line pressure of approximately forty-five
pounds per square
inch (45 psi) and no restriction on the flow downstream of the valve, for the
middle seventy
percent (70%) of the maximum number of steps provided by the motor 72, an
average rate of
change in the flow rate through the hot/cold water electronic valve 34/36 is
in a range of
approximately ten thousandths gallons per minute per step (0.010 gpm/step) and
sixteen
hundredths gallons per minute per step (0.16 gpm/step). In another exemplary
embodiment, with
a supply line pressure of approximately forty-five pounds per square inch (45
psi) and no
restriction on the flow downstream of the valve, for the middle seventy
percent (70%) of the
maximum number of steps provided by the motor 72, the average rate of change
in the flow rate
through the hot/cold water electronic valve 34/36 is in a range of
approximately twenty
thousandths gallons per minute per step (0.020 gpm/step) and eighty
thousandths gallons per
minute per step (0.080 gpm/step). In the illustrated embodiment, with a supply
line pressure of
approximately forty-five pounds per square inch (45 psi) and no restriction on
the flow
downstream of the valve, for the middle seventy percent (70%) of the maximum
number of steps
provided by the motor 72, the average rate of change in the flow rate through
the hot/cold water
electronic valve 34/36 is approximately forty-two thousandths gallons per
minute per step (0.042
gpm/step).
34
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-23

[0088] As best shown in Figures 14a-14c and 15a-15d, the toggle sensor
44, the presence
sensor 46, and the electronic control 56 are electrically connected via cables
126. The toggle
sensor 44 is operable to send a signal to the electronic control 56 when the
toggle sensor 44 is
triggered. The electronic control 56 is operable to receive the signal from
the toggle sensor 44
when the toggle sensor 44 is triggered and, in response, send a signal to the
hot/cold water
electronic valve 34/36 to activate the hot/cold water electronic valve 34/36.
The presence sensor
46 is operable to send a signal to the electronic control 56 when the presence
sensor 46 is
triggered. The electronic control 56 is operable to receive the signal from
the presence sensor 46
when the presence sensor 46 is triggered and, in response, send a signal to
the hot/cold water
electronic valve 34/36 to activate the hot/cold water electronic valve 34/36.
[0089] In an exemplary embodiment, the toggle sensor 44 is located above
the mounting
surface. As stated above, in the illustrated embodiment, the toggle sensor 44
is mounted on the
apex of the spout 16. In an exemplary embodiment, the toggle sensor 44 is
mounted on a first
electronic board 128. Additionally, the toggle sensor 44 is mechanically and
electrically
connected to the presence sensor 46. In the illustrated embodiment, a first
cable 126a is operable
to mechanically and electrically connect the toggle sensor 44 to the presence
sensor 46 and
mechanically support the toggle sensor 44. In an exemplary embodiment, the
first cable 126a is
located above the mounting surface. Further, in an exemplary embodiment, the
toggle sensor 44
has mounting structure associated with it. In the illustrated embodiment, the
toggle sensor 44
has a bracket 130 and adhesive 132 that maintain the toggle sensor 44 in
position on the apex of
the spout.
[0090] In an exemplary embodiment, the presence sensor 46 is located
above the
mounting surface. As stated above, in the illustrated embodiment, the presence
sensor 46 is
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-23

mounted on the upstream end of the spout 16. In an exemplary embodiment, the
presence sensor
46 is mounted on a second electronic board 134. Additionally, the presence
sensor 46 is
mechanically and electrically connected to the electronic control 56. In the
illustrated
embodiment, a second cable 126b is operable to mechanically and electrically
connect the
presence sensor 46 to the electronic control 56 and mechanically support the
presence sensor 46.
In an exemplary embodiment, the second cable 126b is located above the
mounting surface. In
an exemplary embodiment, at least a portion of the second cable 126b is
located above the
mounting surface. Further, in an exemplary embodiment, the presence sensor 46
has mounting
structure associated with it. In the illustrated embodiment, the presence
sensor 46 has adhesive
136 that maintains the presence sensor 46 in position on the upstream end of
the spout.
[0091]
In an exemplary embodiment, at least a portion of the electronic control 56 is
located above the mounting surface. In an exemplary embodiment, the portion of
the electronic
control 56 located above the mounting surface includes a control module 138.
In the illustrated
embodiment, the control module 138 is located in a portion of the hub 14 to
which the handle 22
is mounted. An exemplary embodiment of an electronic faucet with an electronic
control
associated with a handle is disclosed in U.S. Patent App. No. 13/889,186 filed
on May 7, 2013,
which was published as U.S. Patent App. Pub. No. 2013/0291978 Al on November
7, 2013, and
which issued as U.S. Patent No. 9,212,473 B2 on December 15, 2015, for
Electronic Plumbing
Fixture Fitting. In an exemplary embodiment, the control module 138 is
operable to receive the
signal from the toggle sensor 44 or the presence sensor 46 when the toggle
sensor 44 or the
presence sensor 46 is triggered and, in response, send the signal to the
hot/cold water electronic
valve 34/36 to activate the hot/cold water electronic valve 34/36. In an
exemplary embodiment,
the second cable 126b is operable to electrically connect the presence sensor
46 to the portion of
36
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-23

the electronic control 56 located above the mounting surface. In the
illustrated embodiment, the
second cable 126b is operable to electrically connect the presence sensor 46
to the control
module 138.
[0092] In an exemplary embodiment, at least a portion of the electronic
control 56 is
located below the mounting surface. In an exemplary embodiment, the portion of
the electronic
control 56 located below the mounting surface includes the electronics module
52. In the
illustrated embodiment, the electronics module 52 is connected to the flow
module 50. In an
exemplary embodiment, the electronics module 52 is operable to receive the
signal from the
toggle sensor 44 or the presence sensor 46 when the toggle sensor 44 or the
presence sensor 46 is
triggered and, in response, send the signal to the hot/cold water electronic
valve 34/36 to activate
the hot/cold water electronic valve 34/36. In an exemplary embodiment, at
least a portion of the
cable 126, such as the second cable 126b, is operable to directly electrically
connect the
presence sensor 46 to the portion of the electronic control 56 located below
the mounting
surface. In an exemplary embodiment, at least a portion of the cable 126, such
as the second
cable 126b, is operable to directly electrically connect the presence sensor
46 to the electronics
module 52. In an exemplary embodiment, at least a portion of the cable 126 is
operable to
indirectly electrically connect the presence sensor 46 to the portion of the
electronic control 56
located below the mounting surface. In the illustrated embodiment, a third
cable 126c is
operable to indirectly electrically connect the presence sensor 46 to the
electronics module 52 via
the second cable 126b and the control module 138.
[0093] In an exemplary embodiment, at least a portion of the electronic
control 56 is
located above the mounting surface, and at least a portion of the electronic
control 56 is located
below the mounting surface. In an exemplary embodiment, the portion of the
electronic control
37
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-23

56 located above the mounting surface is the control module 138, and the
portion of the
electronic control 56 located below the mounting surface is the electronics
module 52. In an
exemplary embodiment, at least one of the control module 138 and the
electronics module 52 is
operable to receive the signal from the toggle sensor 44 or the presence
sensor 46 when the
toggle sensor 44 or the presence sensor 46 is triggered and, in response, send
the signal to the
hot/cold water electronic valve 34/36 to activate the hot/cold water
electronic valve 34/36. In an
exemplary embodiment, the second cable 126b is operable to electrically
connect the presence
sensor 46 to the portion of the electronic control 56 located above the
mounting surface, and at
least a portion of the cable 126, such as the second cable 126b and/or the
third cable 126c, is
operable to electrically connect the presence sensor 46 to the portion of the
electronic control 56
located below the mounting surface. In the illustrated embodiment, the second
cable 126b is
operable to electrically connect the presence sensor 46 to the control module
138, and at least a
portion of the cable 126, such as the second cable 126b and/or the third cable
126c, is operable to
electrically connect the presence sensor 46 to the electronics module 52.
[0094]
In the illustrated embodiment, the first electronic board 128 is a first
flexible
printed circuit board (PCB). In an exemplary embodiment, the toggle sensor 44
is surface
mounted on the first flexible PCB. In the illustrated embodiment, at least a
portion of the first
flexible PCB is attached to a stiffener 140 that provides mechanical support.
Additionally, in the
illustrated embodiment, the first cable 126a operable to electrically connect
the toggle sensor 44
to the presence sensor 46 is a second flexible printed circuit board (PCB). In
the illustrated
embodiment, at least a portion of the second flexible PCB is attached to a
stiffener 140 that
provides mechanical support.
38
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-23

[0095] In the illustrated embodiment, the second electronic board 134 is
a third flexible
printed circuit board (PCB). In an exemplary embodiment, the presence sensor
46 is surface
mounted on the third flexible PCB. In the illustrated embodiment, at least a
portion of the third
flexible PCB is attached to a stiffener 140 that provides mechanical support.
Additionally, in the
illustrated embodiment, the second cable 126b operable to electrically connect
the presence
sensor 46 to the control module 138 is a fourth flexible printed circuit board
(PCB). In the
illustrated embodiment, at least a portion of the fourth flexible PCB is
attached to a stiffener 140
that provides mechanical support.
[0096] In the illustrated embodiment, the third cable 126c operable to
indirectly
electrically connect the presence sensor 46 to the electronics module 52 is a
communications
wire.
[0097] In an exemplary embodiment, the first electronic board 128 on
which the toggle
sensor 44 is mounted, the first cable 126a operable to electrically connect
the toggle sensor 44 to
the presence sensor 46, and the second electronic board 134 on which the
presence sensor 46 is
mounted are integrally formed. In an exemplary embodiment, the first
electronic board 128 on
which the toggle sensor 44 is mounted, the first cable 126a operable to
electrically connect the
toggle sensor 44 to the presence sensor 46, the second electronic board 134 on
which the
presence sensor 46 is mounted, and the second cable 126b operable to
electrically connect the
presence sensor 46 to any portion of the electronic control 56 located above
the mounting surface
are integrally formed. In an exemplary embodiment, the first electronic board
128 on which the
toggle sensor 44 is mounted, the first cable 126a operable to electrically
connect the toggle
sensor 44 to the presence sensor 46, the second electronic board 134 on which
the presence
sensor 46 is mounted, and at least the portion of the second cable 126b
located above the
39
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-23

mounting surface are integrally formed. In the illustrated embodiment, the
first flexible PCB on
which the toggle sensor 44 is mounted, the second flexible PCB operable to
electrically connect
the toggle sensor 44 to the presence sensor 46, the third flexible PCB on
which the presence
sensor 46 is mounted, and the fourth flexible PCB operable to electrically
connect the presence
sensor 46 to the control module 138 are integrally formed. As a result, all of
the sensors and the
mechanical and electrical connections between the sensors and any portion of
the electronic
control 56 that is located above the mounting surface for the fitting do not
include any separate
connectors.
[0098] As stated above, the flow module 50 includes a number of inlets
and outlets and a
number of flow passages. These inlets/outlets and flow passages enable the
easy management of
the flow between the incoming supplies (i.e., the hot water supply 38 and the
cold water supply
40) and the wand 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the electronic mixing
valve 32, including
the hot water electronic valve 34, the cold water electronic valve 36, and the
housing 58, is
located inside the flow module 50.
[0099] In an exemplary embodiment, as best shown in Figures 16a-18d, the
flow module
50 includes the following inlets:
[00100] 1. a hot water inlet 142 operable to receive hot water from the
hot water
supply 38 - in the illustrated embodiment, the hot water inlet 142 of the flow
module 50 includes
the hot water inlet 60 of the housing 58 - as illustrated, the hot water inlet
142 fluidly connects to
the hot water line 26, and
[00101] 2. a cold water inlet 144 operable to receive cold water from
the cold water
supply 40 - in the illustrated embodiment, the cold water inlet 144 of the
flow module 50
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-23

includes the cold water inlet 62 of the housing 58 - as illustrated, the cold
water inlet 144 fluidly
connects to the cold water line 28.
[00102] Additionally, the flow module 50 includes the following outlet:
[00103] 1. a mixed water outlet 146 operable to discharge mixed water
from the hot
water electronic valve 34 and the cold water electronic valve 36 to the
discharge outlet 24 - in the
illustrated embodiment, the mixed water outlet 146 of the flow module 50
includes the outlet 70
of the housing 58 - as illustrated, the mixed water outlet 146 fluidly
connects to the mixed water
line 30 (also referred to as the flexible or wand hose 18).
[00104] Further, the flow module 50 includes the following flow passages:
[00105] 1. a hot water passage 148 operable to fluidly connect the hot
water inlet 142
and the hot water electronic valve 134,
[00106] 2. a cold water passage 150 operable to fluidly connect the
cold water inlet
144 and the cold water electronic valve 136, and
[00107] 3. a mixed water passage 152 operable to fluidly connect the
hot water
electronic valve 134, the cold water electronic valve 136, and the mixed water
outlet 146.
[00108] In the illustrated embodiment, the flow module 50 includes a top
side 154 and a
bottom side 156. The top side 154 is opposite the bottom side 156.
[00109] In the illustrated embodiment, the hot water inlet 142 , the cold
water inlet 144,
and the mixed water outlet 146 are located in the bottom side 156 of the flow
module 50.
[00110] In an exemplary embodiment, as best shown in Figure 14a, the
electronic faucet
12 includes a mounting shank 158. The mounting shank 158 extends downwardly
from the hub
14. The mounting shank 158 extends through and below the mounting surface
(such as the
counter or sink). Additionally, the mounting shank 158 extends behind the
sink. In the
41
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-23

illustrated embodiment, the mounting shank 158 has a hollow interior 160. In
the illustrated
embodiment, the mounting shank 158 has a threaded exterior 162. In the
illustrated
embodiment, the mounting shank has an inlet 164 and an outlet 166. In the
illustrated
embodiment, the outlet 166 of the mounting shank extends into the hub 14.
Although the
mounting shank 158 has been illustrated as having a hollow interior 160, one
of ordinary skill in
the art will appreciate that the mounting shank 158 could be solid.
Additionally, although the
mounting shank 158 has been illustrated as having a threaded exterior 162, one
of ordinary skill
in the art will appreciate that the mounting shank 158 could have a non-
threaded exterior, such as
a smooth exterior.
[00111]
In an exemplary embodiment, the flow module 50 includes a bracket 168
extending therefrom. In the illustrated embodiment, the bracket 168 extends
from the top side
154 of the flow module 50. In an exemplary embodiment, the bracket 168
includes a mounting
portion 170. The mounting portion 170 is operable to connect to the mounting
shank 158. In the
illustrated embodiment, the mounting portion 170 includes a generally C-shaped
clip 172 that
enables the mounting portion 170 to connect to the mounting shank 158. In the
illustrated
embodiment, a nut 174 is operable to thread onto the mounting shank 158 and
secure the
generally C-shaped clip 172 to the mounting shank 158. Although the mounting
portion 170 has
been illustrated as including a generally C-shaped clip 172, one of ordinary
skill in the art will
appreciate that the mounting portion 170 could include any structure that
enables the mounting
portion 170 to connect to the mounting shank 158. For example, the mounting
portion 170 could
include a smooth bore that enables the mounting portion 170 to connect to the
mounting shank
158 or a threaded bore that enables the mounting portion 170 to thread onto
the mounting shank
158. Additionally, although the electronic faucet 12 has been illustrated as
including a nut 174,
42
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-23

one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that any type of fastener
could be used to secure
the mounting portion 170 to the mounting shank 158 or a separate fastener may
not be needed to
secure the mounting portion 170 to the mounting shank 158.
[00112] In an exemplary embodiment, as best shown in Figures 19a and 19b,
the flow
module 50 is operable to mount below the mounting surface (such as the counter
or sink (and
more specifically, a top of the sink)). In an exemplary embodiment, the flow
module 50 is
operable to mount at least partially behind the sink. In an exemplary
embodiment, the flow
module 50 is operable to mount substantially behind the sink. In an exemplary
embodiment, at
least thirty percent (30%) of the flow module 50 is operable to mount behind
the sink. In an
exemplary embodiment, the flow module 50 is operable to mount completely
behind the sink.
As a result, the flow module 50 can be mounted away from other items under the
mounting
surface and/or utilize space under the mounting surface that would otherwise
not be utilized.
[00113] As used herein, "behind the sink" means a location behind a
vertical plane that
extends along a rear wall of the sink, regardless of whether the location is
above or below a
bottom wall of the sink. Walls of the sink and locations relative to walls of
the sink are defined
relative to a user of the sink when the user is standing at the sink operating
the electronic faucet
12 in a normal mode of operation. In the normal mode of operation, (1) a front
wall is a wall of
the sink closest to the user, (2) the rear wall is a wall of the sink furthest
from the user, (3) side
walls are two (2) walls of the sink joining the front wall to the rear wall,
(4) the bottom wall is a
wall of the sink joining bottom edges of the front wall, the rear wall, and
the side walls, and
(5) the location behind the vertical plane that extends along the rear wall of
the sink is a location
on a side of the vertical plane that is furthest from the user.
43
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-23

[00114] In an exemplary embodiment, the bracket 168 positions the wand
hose 18
between the mixed water outlet 146 and the inlet 164 of the mounting shank 158
such that a
portion of the wand hose 18 extends in a loop between the hose bracket 168 and
the inlet 164 of
the mounting shank 158. As a result, the bracket 168 ensures that the wand
hose 18 is properly
aligned relative to the hub 14 and the spout 16 through which the wand hose 18
extends and
moves. When the wand hose 18 is properly aligned relative to the hub 14 and
the spout 16, the
wand 20 can be easily pulled away from and returned to the spout 16.
[00115] One of ordinary skill in the art will now appreciate that the
present invention
provides an electronic plumbing fixture fitting with an electronic valve
including a piston and a
seat, a sensor mounted on an electronic board, and a flow module, such as an
electronic faucet
with an electronic valve including a piston and a seat, a sensor mounted on an
electronic board,
and a flow module. Although the present invention has been shown and described
with reference
to particular embodiments, equivalent alterations and modifications will occur
to those skilled in
the art upon reading and understanding this specification. The present
invention includes all
such equivalent alterations and modifications and is limited only by the scope
of the following
claims in light of their full scope of equivalents.
44
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-09-23

Representative Drawing