Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
FAUCETS PROVIDING MIXED WATER AND AIR FLOW
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to faucets providing mixed water and air flow,
including
faucets having a faucet head with a sliding member to control a water valve
enabling the mixing
of water and air.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
Control valves for faucets have various components, many of which are discrete
parts
that are assembled to ensure good water-tight seal and long-term durability or
reliability. The
manufacturing of faucets, however, can become complicated and expensive as the
features,
controls, and/or functions of faucets are revised over time.
For certain water faucet applications, one-touch valves were developed so a
tap on an
actuation element can control the water flow. An example of one-touch valves
is those supplied
by the 3M Company for mounting externally to a faucet. A one-touch valve may
simplify the
operation of a faucet. However, these one-touch valves are add-on components
for placements at
where water is discharged, i.e., directly at the outlet of a faucet. This also
means that the valves
are operated directly at the outlet where water flows through.
But adding a one-touch valve changes the overall design, dimension, and
aesthetic
appearance of a faucet, limiting the flexibility and/or attractiveness of the
design or application.
A post-sale-modification may raise reliability, durability, or repair issues.
Further, operating a
faucet outlet with hands, arms, or other parts of one's body, which may have
grease, bacteria, or
other contaminants may add grease, bacteria, or other contaminants to the
faucet outlet itself,
leading to hygiene or other concerns.
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Conventional faucets contain handles to control water flow. When the faucet is
operated
in circumstances that require frequent onfoff operations, having handles that
are away from the
location where water is discharged may cause inconvenience. Although placing a
handle near the
location where water is discharged may be a solution, it may limit design
options. For example,
if a faucet has a removable head that travels with a connecting hose, the
location of the control
may affect the faucet hose or faucet design or limit its portability. As
another example, closing
the distance between the location where water is discharged and the control
handle may limit
design aesthetics.
SUMMARY
According to a disclosed embodiment, there is provided a faucet. The faucet
can include
a faucet base, a water hose, a faucet head, a chamber, a water valve, and a
sliding member.
The faucet base can include a first and second end. The faucet base can be
adapted to be
mounted to support the faucet near the first end and to regulate water flow
through the faucet.
1 5 The
water hose can be coupled with the faucet base by extending through the first
end
and second end of the faucet base. The water hose can be adapted to be
flexible and movable
through an opening in the first end and through an opening in the second end.
The faucet head can be movably coupled to the second end of the faucet base.
The
faucet head can be adapted to be dismountable from the second end of the
faucet base while
remaining coupled to the water hose to direct a mixture of water-and-air flow
to a location away
from the faucet base and to be relocated back to the second end the faucet
base to discharge the
mixture of water-and-air flow while being coupled to the faucet base.
The chamber can be provided within the faucet head and have a first end and a
second
end. The first end of the chamber can be coupled with the water hose and can
be coupled, in a
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dismountable manner, to the second end of the faucet base. The second end of
the chamber can
provide an outlet to discharge the mixture of water-and-air flow.
The water valve can be provided within the chamber and can be located between
the
first end and the second end of the chamber. The water valve can include at
least one air inlet and
a water inlet to enable mixing air from the at least one air inlet with water
from the water inlet.
The water inlet can be coupled with the water hose. The air inlet can be
coupled with the
chamber.
The water valve can further include a control valve movable within the water
valve
between a first position and a second position. The first position can enable
mixing air from the
air inlet with water from the water inlet to provide the mixture of water-and-
air flow. The second
position can enable shut-off of the mixture of water-and-air flow. A direction
of the control
valve's movement between the first position and the second position can be
substantially parallel
to a direction of a water flow from the first end of the chamber to the second
end of the chamber.
The control valve can use a water pressure supplied by the water hose to
facilitate an operation
of the control valve.
The sliding member can be movably coupled with the faucet head at a side of
the faucet
head. The sliding member can be adapted to enable the operation of the control
valve within the
water valve by being slid from a side of the faucet head in a direction
substantially parallel to the
direction of the water flow from the first end of the chamber to the second
end of the chamber.
The sliding of the sliding member can cause the control valve to move between
the first position
and the second position.
According to another disclosed embodiment, there is provided a faucet. The
faucet can
include a faucet base, a water hose, a faucet head, a water valve, and a
sliding member.
The faucet base can have a first and second end.
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The water hose can extend within the faucet base and can be movable through
the
second end of the faucet base.
The faucet head can have a first end, a second end, a chamber between the
first and
second end of the faucet head and coupled with the water hose, and an outlet
coupled with the
chamber at or near the second end of the faucet head to discharge a mixture of
water-and-air flow.
The first end of the faucet head can be adapted to be coupled to the second
end of the faucet base
while remaining coupled to the water hose and to be dismountable from the
second end of the
faucet base while remaining coupled to the water hose.
The water valve can be provided within the chamber. The water valve can
include one
or more air inlets and a water inlet to enable mixing air from the one or more
air inlets with water
from the water inlet. The water inlet can be coupled with the water hose. The
one or more air
inlets can be coupled with the chamber.
The water valve can further include a control valve movable within the water
valve
between a first position and a second position. The first position can enable
mixing air from the
air inlet with water from the water inlet to provide the mixture of water-and-
air flow. The second
position can enable shut-off of the mixture of water-and-air flow. The control
valve can be
adapted to move between the first position and the second position in a
direction substantially
parallel to a direction of a water flow from the first end of the faucet head
to the second end of
the faucet head. The control valve can use a water pressure supplied by the
water hose to
facilitate an operation of the control valve.
The sliding member can be movably coupled with the faucet head at a side of
the faucet
head. The sliding member can be adapted for user operation by sliding in a
direction
substantially parallel to the direction of the water flow from the first end
of the chamber to the
second end of the chamber to cause the control valve to move between the first
position and the
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second position.
According to yet another disclosed embodiment, there is provided a faucet. The
faucet
can include a faucet base, a water hose, a faucet head, a chamber, a water
valve, and a sliding
member.
The faucet base can have a first end, second end, and a water flow control
coupled near
the first end for regulating a water flow through the faucet. The first end of
the faucet base can be
adapted to be mounted to support the faucet.
The water hose can be accommodated between the first end and second end of the
faucet base and can be movable through an opening near the first end and an
opening near the
second end of the faucet base.
The faucet head can be coupled to the water hose and, in a dismountable
manner, to the
second end of the faucet base while remaining coupled to the water hose.
The chamber can be provided within the faucet head. The chamber can have a
first and
second end. The first end of the chamber can be coupled with the water hose
and can be coupled,
in a dismountable manner, to the second end of the faucet base. The chamber
can be adapted to
discharge a mixture of water-and-air flow near the second end of the chamber.
The water valve can be provided within the chamber and can be located between
the
first and second end of the chamber. The water valve can include an air inlet
and a water inlet to
enable mixing air from the air inlet with water from the water inlet to
provide the mixture of
water-and-air flow. The water inlet can be coupled with the water hose. The
air inlet can be
coupled with the chamber.
The water valve can further include a control valve movable within the water
valve
between a first position and a second position in a direction approximately
parallel with a
direction of a water flow from the first end of the chamber to the second end
of the chamber. The
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=
first position can enable mixing air from the air inlet with water from the
water inlet to provide
the mixture of water-and-air flow. The second position can enable shut-off of
the mixture of
water-and-air flow. An operation of the control valve can be facilitated by a
water pressure
supplied by the water hose.
The sliding member can be movably coupled with the faucet head. The sliding
member can include a first surface being adapted for user operation in a
direction
approximately parallel to a side surface of the faucet head. The sliding
member can further
include a second surface mechanically coupled with the first surface. The
second surface can
be adapted to engage with the control valve in a way to move the control valve
from the
second position to the first position when the first surface is operated by
sliding.
According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a faucet
comprising: a
faucet base having a first and second end, the faucet base being adapted to be
mounted to
support the faucet near the first end and to regulate water flow through the
faucet; a water
hose coupled with the faucet base by extending through the first end and
second end of the
faucet base, the water hose being adapted to be flexible and movable through
an opening in
the first end and through an opening in the second end; a faucet head movably
coupled to
the second end of the faucet base, the faucet head being adapted to be
dismountable from
the second end of the faucet base while remaining coupled to the water hose to
direct a
mixture of water-and-air flow to a location away from the faucet base and to
be relocated
back to the second end the faucet base to discharge the mixture of water-and-
air flow while
being coupled to the faucet base; a chamber within the faucet head having a
first end and a
second end, the first end of the chamber being coupled with the water hose and
being
coupled, in a dismountable manner, to the second end of the faucet base, the
second end of
the chamber providing an outlet to discharge the mixture of water-and-air
flow; a water valve
within the chamber and located between the first end and the second end of the
chamber, the
water valve comprising: at least one air inlet and a water inlet to enable
mixing air from the at
least one air inlet with water from the water inlet, the water inlet being
coupled with the water
hose, the air inlet being coupled with the chamber, and a control valve
movable within the
water valve between a first position and a second position, the first position
enabling mixing
air from the air inlet with water from the water inlet to provide the mixture
of water-and-air
flow, and the second position enabling shut-off of the mixture of water-and-
air flow, a
direction of the control valve's movement between the first position and the
second position
being substantially parallel to a
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direction of a water flow from the first end of the chamber to the second end
of the chamber,
the control valve using a water pressure supplied by the water hose to
facilitate an operation
of the control valve; and a sliding member movably coupled with the faucet
head at a side of
the faucet head, the sliding member being adapted to enable the operation of
the control
valve within the water valve by being slid from a side of the faucet head in a
direction
substantially parallel to the direction of the water flow from the first end
of the chamber to the
second end of the chamber, the sliding of the sliding member causing the
control valve to
move between the first position and the second position; wherein the sliding
member
comprises a first surface and a second surface mechanically coupled with the
first surface,
the first surface being adapted for user operation in a direction
substantially parallel to a side
surface of the faucet head.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a faucet
comprising: a
faucet base having a first and second end; a water hose extending within the
faucet base and
being movable through the second end of the faucet base; a faucet head having
a first end, a
second end, a chamber between the first and second end of the faucet head and
coupled
with the water hose, and an outlet coupled with the chamber at or near the
second end of the
faucet head to discharge a mixture of water-and-air flow, the first end of the
faucet head
being adapted to be coupled to the second end of the faucet base while
remaining coupled to
the water hose and to be dismountable from the second end of the faucet base
while
remaining coupled to the water hose; a water valve within the chamber, the
water valve
comprising: one or more air inlets and a water inlet to enable mixing air from
the one or more
air inlets with water from the water inlet, the water inlet coupled with the
water hose, the one
or more air inlets being coupled with the chamber, and a control valve movable
within the
water valve between a first position and a second position, the first position
enabling mixing
air from the air inlet with water from the water inlet to provide the mixture
of water-and-air
flow, and the second position enabling shut-off of the mixture of water-and-
air flow, the
control valve being adapted to move between the first position and the second
position in a
direction substantially parallel to a direction of a water flow from the first
end of the faucet
head to the second end of the faucet head, the control valve using a water
pressure supplied
by the water hose to facilitate an operation of the control valve; and a
sliding member
movably coupled with the faucet head at a side of the faucet head, the sliding
member being
adapted for user operation by sliding in a direction substantially parallel to
the direction of the
water flow from the first end
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of the chamber to the second end of the chamber to cause the control valve to
move between
the first position and the second position; wherein the sliding member
comprises a first
surface and a second surface mechanically coupled with the first surface, and
the sliding
member is slidably coupled with a side of the faucet head to enable a movement
of the first
surface of the sliding member in a direction approximately parallel to the
direction of the
water flow from the first end of the faucet head to the second end of the
faucet head when
the first surface of the sliding member is operated to cause a movement of the
second
surface in a direction that causes the control valve to move from the second
position to the
first position.
According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a faucet
comprising: a
faucet base having a first end, second end, and a water flow control coupled
near the first
end for regulating a water flow through the faucet, the first end of the
faucet base being
adapted to be mounted to support the faucet; a water hose being accommodated
between
the first end and second end of the faucet base and movable through an opening
near the
first end and an opening near the second end of the faucet base; a faucet head
coupled to
the water hose and, in a dismountable manner, to the second end of the faucet
base while
remaining coupled to the water hose; a chamber within the faucet head, the
chamber having
a first and second end, the first end of the chamber being coupled with the
water hose and
being coupled, in a dismountable manner, to the second end of the faucet base,
the chamber
being adapted to discharge a mixture of water-and-air flow near the second end
of the
chamber; a water valve within the chamber and located between the first and
second end of
the chamber, the water valve comprising: an air inlet and a water inlet to
enable mixing air
from the air inlet with water from the water inlet to provide the mixture of
water-and-air flow,
the water inlet being coupled with the water hose, the air inlet being coupled
with the
chamber, and a control valve movable within the water valve between a first
position and a
second position in a direction approximately parallel with a direction of a
water flow from the
first end of the chamber to the second end of the chamber, the first position
enabling mixing
air from the air inlet with water from the water inlet to provide the mixture
of water-and-air
flow, the second position enabling shut-off of the mixture of water-and-air
flow, and an
operation of the control valve being facilitated by a water pressure supplied
by the water
hose; and a sliding member movably coupled with the faucet head, the sliding
member
comprising: a first surface being adapted for user operation in a direction
approximately
parallel to a side surface of the faucet head, and
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a second surface mechanically coupled with the first surface, the second
surface being
adapted to engage with the control valve in a way to move the control valve
from the second
position to the first position when the first surface is operated by sliding.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a faucet consistent
with the
present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a faucet head
consistent
with the present invention, with dotted line illustrating a water hose.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a faucet head, taken
along line
1-1 of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a faucet head, taken
along line
2-2 of FIG. 2.
FIG. 5 is an exploded-view diagram illustrating an embodiment of a faucet head
consistent with the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a perspective-section diagram illustrating an embodiment of a
portion of a
chamber in a faucet head consistent with the present invention.
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FIG 7 is another perspective-section diagram illustrating an embodiment of a
portion of
a chamber in a faucet head consistent with the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a sliding member
consistent
with the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a perspective-section view illustrating an embodiment of engagement
of a
sliding member with a faucet head consistent with the present invention.
FIG 10 is another perspective-section view illustrating an embodiment of
engagement
of a sliding member with a faucet head consistent with the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of a faucet head
consistent
with the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of a water valve
consistent
with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to FIG. 1, one embodiment of the present invention provides a faucet
including a faucet base 4, a water hose 2, and a faucet head 1. Faucet base 4
can include a first
end 401 and a second end 402. Water hose 2 can be coupled to faucet base 4 by
extending
through first end 401 and second end 402 of faucet base 4. Water hose 2 can be
adapted to be
flexible and movable through an opening of first end 401 and through an
opening of second end
402 of faucet base 4. Faucet head 1 can be movably coupled to second end 402
of faucet base 4.
Faucet head 1 can be adapted to be dismountable, and can be pulled away, for
example, from
faucet base 4 while remaining coupled to water hose 2 to direct water to a
location away from
faucet base 4. Faucet head 1 can be adapted to be relocated back to faucet
base 4.
Faucet base 4 can be mounted to support the faucet near first end 401 and to
regulate
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water flow through the faucet. Faucet base 4 can include a water flow control
5 coupled with
water hose 2 and located near first end 401 of faucet base 4 to control an
amount of water
flowing through water hose 2 and to vary a mix of cold water and hot water
going into water
hose 2. For example, water flow control 5 can be mounted near a lower portion
of faucet base 4
near a side opening of faucet base 4. Water flow control 5 can be coupled with
water hose 2, a
cold water intake, and a hot water intake to vary, when a water flow is
enabled, a mix of cold
water and hot water going into water hose 2.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a faucet head 1 can be mounted on a pull-out
faucet base 4
or a pull-down faucet base 4, which can include a body portion 3 and, for
example, can be
mounted in a kitchen or a bathroom, such as over or near a sink. Faucet head 1
can be coupled
with a water supply segment 2a of water hose 2, and water hose 2 can be
movably
accommodated within and slidable through faucet base 4. Water hose 2 can
include a water
conduit 2b defined therein. Faucet head 1 and water hose 2 can be pulled out
and retracted back
to an outlet 3a at second end 402 of faucet base 4. Body portion 3 of faucet
base 4 can include a
base holder 3b and a tubular extension 3c extending from holder 3b and, in
some embodiments,
bend forward and downward as illustrated in FIG 1. The amount of the bend,
illustrated like a
swan neck in FIG. 1, may depend on aesthetic designs, faucet applications,
cost/manufacturing
considerations, and/or other factors. Water hose 2 can extend through holder
3b and tubular
extension 3c.
Referring to FIGS. 3-5, faucet head 1 can include an outer casing 10, a
chamber 11, a
water valve 30, and a sliding member 40. In some embodiments, chamber 11 may
be an opening
provided within faucet head 1 (or within outer casing 10), and faucet head 1
may provide
chamber 11 therein, such as through a uni-body construction or a multiple-part
construction.
With a uni-body or integrated construction, a substantially-cylindrical space
(cylinder) 20 within
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outer casing 10 may serve as a portion of chamber 11. Outer casing 10 can be
manually operated
by user, such as for holding and/or pulling faucet head 1, and can include
chamber 11. Chamber
11 can be configured to be within faucet head 1 and include a first end 111
and a second end 112.
First end 111 of chamber 11 can provide a water inlet coupled with water hose
2, and second end
112 of chamber 11 can provide a water and air outlet to discharge a mixture of
water-and-air
flow near second end 112 of chamber 11. First end 111 of chamber 11 can be
coupled, in a
dismountable manner, to second end 402 of faucet base 4.
For example, faucet head 1 can be dismountable from second end 402 of faucet
base 4
while remaining coupled to water hose 2 to direct a mixture of water-and-air
flow to a location
away from faucet base 4 and to be relocated back to second end 402 of faucet
base 4 to discharge
the mixture of water-and-air flow while being coupled to faucet base 4.
Referring to FIGS. 3-7, cylinder 20 can be housed in chamber 11 of outer
casing 10 and
can include an inlet segment 201 communicating with water conduit 2b of water
hose 2 via an
inflow connector 91 (see FIGS. 1 and 2), an outlet segment 202, at least one
first orifice 21, and
a second orifice 22. As shown in FIGS. 6-7, first orifice 21 and second
orifice 22 can be defined
between inlet segment 201 and outlet segment 202.
Water valve 30 can be positioned within chamber 11 and located between first
end 111
and second end 112 of chamber 11. Water valve 30 can be accommodated in
cylinder 20.
Referring to FIG 12, water valve 30 can include one or more air inlets 302 and
a water inlet 305
to enable mixing air from air inlets 302 with water from water inlet 305. Air
inlets 302 of water
valve 30 can be coupled with chamber 11. Water inlet 305 can be coupled with
water hose 2.
Chamber 11 can include at least one air inlet near at or near a side of faucet
head 1 or second end
112 of chamber 11. The at least one air inlet of chamber 11 can be in
communication with air
inlets 302 of water valve 30 to enable the water vale's mixing of water and
air. For example, an
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opening on faucet head 1 (or outer case 10) in communication with chamber 11
can serve as the
air inlet of chamber 11 to supply air to water valve 30. An opening 13 of
outer casing 10, as
shown in FIG 3 and will be described further below, can be adapted to
communicate with and
allow air intake to air inlets 302 of water valve 30. A side opening of faucet
head 1 for
accommodating a switch valve 70, as shown in FIG. 3 and will be described
further below, can
also be adapted to communicate with and allow air intake to air inlets 302 of
water valve 30.
Alternatively or additionally, a center outlet 81 and/or a plurality of
peripheral outlets
82, as shown in FIG. 3, can serve as an air inlet of chamber 11 to supply air
to water valve 30. As
will be described further below, center outlet 81 and peripheral outlets 82
can be adapted to
communicate with chamber 11 to discharge a flow of the water-and-air mixture
in a stream
discharge mode and a spray discharge mode, respectively. When in the stream
discharge mode,
one or more peripheral outlets 82 can be adapted to communicate with and allow
air intake to air
inlets 302 of water valve 30. When in the spray discharge mode, center outlet
81 can be adapted
to communicate with and allow air intake to air inlets 302 of water valve 30.
Water valve 30 can include a control valve 301 movable within water valve 30
between
a first position and a second position. The first position can be a position
that enables mixing air
from air inlets 302 with water from water inlet 305 to provide a mixture of
water-and-air flow.
The second position can be a position that enables shut-off of a mixture of
water-and-air flow. A
direction of the movement of control valve 301 between the first position and
the second position
can be substantially parallel to a direction of a water flow (or a water-and-
air flow) from first end
I 1 1 to second end 112 of chamber 11. Control valve 301 can be adapted to use
a water pressure
supplied by water hose 2 to facilitate an operation of control valve 301,
either in one direction or
in both directions.
Water valve 30 can be a water-pressure-assisted aerator with a control valve.
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embodiment and referring to FIG. 12, water valve 30 can contain a screen 303
coupled with
control valve 301 and located downstream of control valve 301. Screen 303 can
include a
plurality of water passageways 304, with as little as two or four passageways
to as many as a
dozen or dozens of passageways. Water passageways 304 can be in communication
with one or
more air inlets 302 of water valve 30 to enable the water valve's mixing of
water and air into a
mixture of water-and-air flow. Air inlets 302 may have openings from the side,
from the above,
from the lower portion of water valve 30, or having the openings in any of the
combinations. The
air inlets may enable the faucet head and the chamber to be designed with
flexibilities and with
openings or gaps to enable air flow,
Referring to FIGS. 3-5 and 12, control valve 301 can include a driving member
31 that
protrudes out from one end of water valve 30, such as from a lower portion or
the bottom of
water valve 30. Driving member 31 can be engaged with and driven by sliding
member 40 to
control a position of control valve 301. For example, driving member 31 can be
driven to move
control valve 301, such as moving it up, to turn on water valve 30 so that
water flows into at least
one first orifice 21 of cylinder 20 from water conduit 2b of water hose 2 and
into water inlet 305
of water valve 30. When control valve 301 is pushed up, it breaks the water-
tight seal between
control valve 301 and a lateral or internal wall of water valve 30 to cause
the water from the
connected water hose 2, through water conduit 2b, to flow through water inlet
305. Water inlet
305 may be equipped with a screen, a mesh, or some other debris- or particle-
blocking design to
avoid any debris or particle from entering the water-tight seal of control
valve 301, which may
cause it to lead or malfunction. When control valve 301 is lowered, it returns
to its water-tight
seal state, and the control valve 301 may be designed with surface(s) onto
which water pressure
may exert additional force to reinforce the water-tight seal between control
valve 301 and an
internal wall of water valve 30. The seal between control valve 301 and water
valve 30 may be
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formed with rubber, resin, or other suitable sealing materials.
In one embodiment, the control valve may be coupled or equipped with a spring
and a
cam that moves or locks control valve in two or more different positions each
time the driving
member 31 is pressed. The design or operation may be similar to or a variation
of those used in
retractable/clicking pens. U.S. Patent No. 3,819,282 discloses one example of
such design. In
one embodiment of control valve 301, a second/resting position can provide a
water-tight seal
and stop water flow. A first position can open the seal between control valve
301 and internal
wall(s) of water 30, and the opening enables the water flow. A third position
or additional
positions are optional, and when used, it/they may keep the seal open, but
modulate the water
flow by providing a bigger (or smaller) gap(s) to provide more (or less) water
flow than the
water flow at the first position.
Driving member 31 can include a pin, rod, stern, tube, or an elongated
structure
protruding out of water valve 30. Driving member 31 can include a head for
coupling with
sliding member 40 and a body connected to the head for transmitting force
and/or motion.
With reference to FIGS. 3-5, faucet head 1 can include a pin 50 extending out
of a
cavity 25 from a through hole 26 to engage with sliding member 40 so that
sliding member 40
can actuate driving member 31 via pin 50.
As illustrated in FIGS. 3, 8, 9, 10, and 11, sliding member 40 can be movably
coupled
with faucet head 1 at or near a side of faucet head 1 (or outer casing 10), to
enable an operation
of control valve 301 within water valve 30. The operation may occur by sliding
sliding member
40 in a direction substantially parallel to, but opposite to, for example, the
direction of a water
flow from first end 111 of chamber 11 to second end 112 of chamber 11. The
sliding of sliding
member 40 causes control valve 301 to move between the first position and the
second position.
For example, a movement of sliding member 40 can be in a direction
substantially parallel to a
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direction of the water flow from first end 111 of chamber 11 to second end 112
of chamber 11.
Sliding member 40 can include a first surface 411 and a second surface 422,
which is
mechanically coupled with first surface 411. First surface 411 can be adapted
for user operation,
such as to slide sliding member 40 in a direction substantially aligned with a
side surface of
faucet head 1, such as a side surface of outer casing 40. Second surface 422
can be adapted to
engage with control valve 301 to move control valve 301 from the second
position to the first
position when first surface 411 is slid in a direction substantially opposite
to the direction of a
water flow from first end 111 of chamber 11 to second end 112 of chamber 11.
Second surface
422 can be adapted to engage with control valve 301 to restore control valve
301 from the first
.. position to the second position when first surface 411 is slid again in the
direction substantially
opposite to the direction of the water flow from first end 111 of chamber 11
to second end 112 of
chamber 11.
For example, sliding member 40 can include a sliding portion 41 including
first surface
411 and a lever 42 including second surface 422. Lever 42 can be coupled to
and extending from
sliding portion 41. First surface 411 can be configured to be substantially
perpendicular to
second surface 422. A part of lever 42 can be limited in second orifice 22 of
cylinder 20. First
surface 411 can be an external face of sliding member 40. Sliding member can
include an
internal face 412 coupled with lever 42. First surface 411 can be adapted to
allow user operation
such as by sliding. First surface 411 can include a contact area, which may
have a curved profile,
a dimple, or some other surface shape, texture, or pattern so a user can
identify it by touching or
without looking. Internal face 412 can have a connection portion 414 slidably
connected with
outer casing 10. Sliding member 40 can be slidably coupled with a side of
faucet head 1 to cause
a substantially-upward movement of second surface 422 when first surface 411
is operated in a
substantially-upward direction. The substantially-upward movement of second
surface 422
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causes control valve 301 to move from the second position to the first
position in a
substantially-upward direction. For example, second surface 422 can be caused
to contact/push
(or exert a force on) driving member 31 or pin 50 to cause driving member 31
to move control
valve 301 to the first or second position.
Sliding member 40 can include a button, a plate, a panel, a switch, a knob, a
toggle, a
stud, a key, or any structure having a surface adapted to enable user
operation, such as slide, push,
or other movement. Second surface 422 can be adapted to engage with control
valve 301. First
surface 411 and second surface 422 can be provided through a uni-body
construction or a
multiple-part construction.
As discussed above, control valve 301 can be configured to remain in the first
position
after sliding member 40 is slid and released. For example, sliding member 40
can be released
after being slid to cause control valve 301 to move to and remain in the first
position until sliding
member 40 is operated again, such as by sliding, to cause control valve 301 to
move from the
first position to the second position.
Sliding member 40 can also include a spring to return sliding member 40 to an
initial
position when sliding member 40 is not being operated. The spring may be part
of water valve
30 to provide the spring force to return sliding member 40 to its initial
position after a user
operate or releases it. The spring may also be a spring separated from a
spring of water valve 30
and be placed between sliding member 40 and one part of chamber 11.
Referring to FIGS. 3-7, chamber 11 can include, in cylinder 20, for example, a
cavity 24
located in inlet segment 201, cavity 25 formed at a bottom of cavity 24, and
through hole 26 in
spatial communication with cavity 25. At least one first orifice 21 can
communicate with cavity
24 and the outlet segment 202. Water valve 30 can be housed in cavity 24, and
driving member
31 can be accommodated in cavity 25.
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Outer casing 10 can include a wall 12 configured to define chamber 11. Outer
casing 10
can include an opening 13 defined in wall 12 corresponding to sliding member
40 so that sliding
member 40 can be slid in opening 13 when first surface 411 is operated, as
shown in FIGS. 3, 10,
and 11. Preferably, a size of opening 13 is larger than that of sliding
portion 41 of sliding
.. member 40 so that sliding portion 41 can be accommodated in opening 13
while exposing first
surface 411. Opening 13 can include a recess 131 to accommodate, in whole or
in part, sliding
member 40 such that sliding member 40 can be operated in recess 131.
Referring to FIG 8, connection portion 414 can include two hooks 415 extending
from
internal face 412 of sliding member 40. Hooks 415 can be spaced part on
internal face 412. As
shown in FIGS. 3, 5, and 9-11, hooks 415 can be adapted to engage with wall 12
of outer casing
10 through an opening 14 of outer casing 10. Hooks 415 can engage with, such
as by contacting,
one or more edges defining opening 14. Hooks 415 can include one or more barbs
416 for
engaging with, such as by contacting, an inner surface 122 of outer casing 10.
Hooks 415 can be
resilient for insertion of connection portion 414 into opening 14 and adapted
to prevent
dislocation of sliding member 40 from outer casing 10 while allowing operation
of sliding
member 40.
Opening 14 can be adapted to limit a movement of sliding member 40 by
restricting the
movement of hooks 415. Opening 14 can be adapted to have a sufficient size
allowing sliding
movement of hooks 415 in a direction substantially parallel to the direction
of the water flow
from first end 111 of chamber 11 to second end 112 of chamber 11. For example,
a movement of
hooks 415 can be in a direction substantially parallel to a direction of the
water flow from first
end 111 of chamber 11 to second end 112 of chamber 11. Opening 14 can be
nested in opening
13 such that opening 13 allows for movement of sliding portion 41 in opening
13 caused by
movement of hooks 415 in opening 14.
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In another embodiment, sliding member 40 can include an opening with edges for
engaging with hooks of a connection portion disposed at a side of faucet head
1. As discussed
above with respect to opening 14 and hooks 415 of connection portion 414, the
opening of
sliding member 40 and the hooks of the connection portion disposed at the side
of faucet head 1
can be similarly configured to engage with each other to enable sliding of
sliding member 40 in a
direction substantially parallel with the water flow from first end 111 of
chamber 11 to second
end 112 of chamber 11.
Referring to FIGS. 3-5 and 11, pin 50 can include a head 51 for sliding upward
and
downward in cavity 25 and a body 52 extending from head 51 and extending out
of through hole
26 from head 51. Head 51 can be configured to contact with and drive driving
member 31 of
water valve 30. A distal end of the body 52 can be in contact with and driven
by lever 42 of
sliding member 40.
Referring to FIGS. 3-5 and 11, faucet head 1 can further include a compression
spring
60 in cavity 25. Compression spring 60 can be accommodated between water valve
30 and head
51 of pin 50 to push pin 50 and sliding member 40 back to their previous
positions after sliding
member 40 is released.
An extension of through hole 22 of cylinder 20 can be defined by two opposing
limiters
221 formed proximate to through hole 22 so that movement of lever 42 of
sliding member 40 can
be limited between two limiters 221 after sliding member 40 is pressed or
released.
As shown in FIG. 3, when sliding member 40 is not operated, sliding portion 41
can be
positioned towards a lower end of opening 13 so that it can be slid upward.
When sliding
member 40 is slid upward, lever 42 can be moved substantially upward away from
the lower
limiter 221 to push pin 50 upwardly, as shown in FIG 11. Thus, driving member
31 of water
valve 30 can be driven to turn on water valve 30.
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Whether sliding member 40 is operated or released can be shown using an on-off
indicator. For example, the indicator can indicate an "on" status by showing a
color, such as
green, of a surface exposed near a lower end of recess 131 when sliding member
40 is slid
upward in opening 13 and an "off' status by showing a different color, such as
red, of a surface
exposed near an upper end of recess 131 when sliding member 40 is not operated
or is released
after operation. Alternatively or additionally, the indicator can indicate the
"on" and/or "off"
status using symbols, illumination, or other means. Moreover, the indicator
can be adapted on
sliding member 40, such as on first surface 411.
Body 52 of pin 50 has can include a first seal washer 501 fitted thereon and
sealing
cavity 25 so as to prevent water leakage via through hole 26 from cavity 25,
as illustrated in
FIGS. 3 and 4.
Chamber 11 can provide a housing near second end 112 of chamber 11 to enclose
a
switch valve 70 guiding a flow of the water-and-air mixture between a stream
discharge and a
spray discharge. Switch valve 70 can be operated via a switch movably mounted
on a side
opening of faucet head 1.
For example, faucet head 1 can include switch valve 70 near second end 112 of
chamber
11 to switch a flow of the water-and-air mixture between a stream discharge
and a spray
discharge. For example, switch valve 70 can be arranged on cylinder 20 and
configured to switch
a water flow between a stream discharge mode and a spray discharge mode.
Faucet head 1 can
include a water outlet 80, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Switch valve 70 can be
operated, such as
by pressing, to cause the water to be guided through a center outlet 81 or a
plurality of peripheral
outlets 82 of water outlet 80 from the at least one first orifice 21 to
produce at least two water
discharge modes, such as a stream discharge mode and a spray discharge mode.
With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, cylinder 20 can include a cavity 27
communicating
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with the at least one first orifice 21 to accommodate switch valve 70.
Cylinder 20 can further
include a recess 28 for accommodating water outlet 80. Recess 28 can include a
central channel
281 and a peripheral channel 282 communicating with cavity 27.
Second end 112 of chamber 11 can provide a stream discharge of a water-and-air
mixture through center outlet 81 of water outlet 80 and a spray discharge of a
mixture of water
and air through the plurality of peripheral outlets 82 of water outlet 80.
Center outlet 81 can be in
communication with and discharge water from central channel 281. The plurality
of peripheral
outlets 82 can be in communication with and discharge water from peripheral
channel 282.
Center outlet 81 can include a foam generator 811 to produce foamy water.
Cylinder 20 can be adapted to match with a water outlet so as to discharge
water from
the at least one first orifice 21 in a particular discharge mode.
Referring to FIGS. 3-5, faucet head 1 can further include an inflow connector
91
engaged at a top of cavity 24. Inflow connector 91 can include a threaded
portion 911 extending
from outer casing 10, a nut 92 engaging with threaded portion 911 of inflow
connector 91 and
locking inflow connector 91 and cylinder 20 to the top of outer casing 10, a
padding 93 located
between inflow connector 91 and a top of water valve 30 to limit water valve
30 in cavity 24, and
a second seal washer 94 fitted on padding 93 and contacting with cavity 24.
When control valve 301 of water valve 30 is configured to operate
automatically,
driving member 31 can be driven to move control valve 301 to a position
enabling water
discharge. Thereafter, control valve 301 can move back to an original position
to stop
discharging water.
When control valve 301 is not configured to be automatic, sliding member 40
can be
manually operated by the user to close control valve 301. Sliding member 40
can be operated to
drive driving member 31 of water valve 30 to move control valve 301 to a
position enabling
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shut-off of water.
Thus, water valve 30 can be driven by sliding member 40 so as to avoid
touching and
contaminating water valve 30. Sliding member 40 can be rotatably connected
with cylinder 20 to
simplify faucet head 1 and reduce fabrication cost.
Water valve 30 can be a pre-assembled assembly with a control valve, such as
control
valve 301, inside the water valve and with a driving member, such as driving
member 31,
protruding through one end of the water valve and coupled with the control
valve to cause the
control valve to move between a first and a second position, such as between
the first and second
position described above.
Faucet head 1 can be further adapted to discharge water in different discharge
modes
using means other than switch valve 70.
While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been set forth for the
purpose of
disclosure, modifications of the disclosed embodiments of the invention as
well as other
embodiments thereof may occur to those skilled in the art. The scope of the
claims should not be
limited by the preferred embodiments set forth in the examples, but should be
given the broadest
interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.
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