GB2476804A

GB2476804A - A showerhead with means for adding pressurized gas or gases into the water stream

Info

Publication number: GB2476804A
Application number: GB1000210A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Harvey; Sean Patrick Conway; Leyton James Iddon
Original assignee: Kohler Mira Ltd
Current assignee: Kohler Mira Ltd
Priority date: 2010-01-07
Filing date: 2010-01-07
Publication date: 2011-07-13
Anticipated expiration: 2030-01-07
Also published as: IE86428B1; GB2476804B; GB201000210D0; IE20110003A1

Abstract

A showerhead in the form of a handset 1 is provided with an internal diffuser 17 operable to inject a gas or a mixture of gases as a stream of fine bubbles into a water stream upstream of a spray head 5 prior to discharge from the handset 1. Adding the gas or mixture of gases to the water stream within the handset 1 has the effect of volumizing the water which increases both the perceived flow rate and spray force without altering the actual flow rate. The handset 1 has particular application to showers employing an instantaneous electric water heater as the source of temperature controlled water. A pump (21 figure 2) may be added to the spray head 5. A later embodiment relates to a method of adding a gas or a mixture of gases to a water stream in a shower.

Description

ABLUTIONARY FITTINGS AND INSTALLATIONS

The present invention relates to ablutionary fittings and installations and has particular, but not exclusive, application to shower fittings and installations. The invention also has application to methods of operating such fittings and installations.

Instantaneous electric showers operate to heat an incoming supply of cold water, typically mains cold water, flowing through a heater tank containing one or more electric heating elements. For a given power input, it is necessary to control the flow rate of the incoming water to be heated by the heater tank to produce the required temperature rise above the temperature of the incoming water supply in order to achieve a comfortable showering temperature. During winter when the temperature of the incoming water supply is at its minimum, the required flow rate for a comfortable temperature shower may well be towards the lower limit of consumer acceptability even when the maximum power input to the heater tank is selected.

It is known to employ a venturi type device housed within a shower handset to create a pressure drop across an orifice having an adjacent opening to atmosphere so that air is drawn into the water stream. Such devices reduce the water flow rate producing a saving in water consumption whilst still creating the impression of an acceptable spray force. Such devices cannot be employed in instantaneous electric shower installations as the reduction in flow rate that the venturi device imparts could prevent the user selecting a comfortable showering temperature and risk the possibility of scalding for the user.

The present invention has been made from a consideration of the foregoing. A desired aim of the invention is to improve the perceived flow rate and spray force, as delivered by a shower, in particular an instantaneous electric shower.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided in or for a showerhead, a device for adding a pressurised gas or mixture of gases into the water stream prior to discharge from the showerhead.

This invention supplements the lower volume of water typically delivered at low flow rates by adding pressurised gas or mixture of gases into the water stream prior to discharge from the showerbead. More especially, the introduction of pressurised gas or mixture of gases into the water stream, has the effect of volumizing the water and increasing both the perceived flow rate and force of the shower spray.

Unlike the known venturi devices, adding pressurised gas or mixture of gases to the water stream does not reduce the actual water flow rate. As a result, the invention may have particular benefit in enhancing the perceived performance of electric showers employing an instantaneous water heater without affecting the flow rates required to achieve the required water temperature.

The invention is not limited to electric showers, however and may also be employed in, for example, a gravity fed mixer shower that can also suffer from low flow rates and spray force by virtue of the extremely low supply pressure normally encountered in gravity fed shower installations.

The showerhead may be fixed, for example a wall or ceiling mounted shower rose. Alternatively, the showerhead may be movable, for example a handset mounted on a riser rail.

Preferably, the pressurised gas or mixture of gases is added to the water stream within the showerhead upstream of a spray head having one or more nozzles through which the water is discharged.

Preferably, the pressurised gas or mixture of gases is added to the water stream by a diffuser operable to inject the gas or mixture of gases as a stream of fine bubbles.

In one embodiment, the diffuser is connected to a source of the pressurised gas or mixture of gases remote from the showerhead. For example, a tube, preferably flexible, may connect the diffuser to the remote source.

The tube may be routed internally of the water supply to the showerhead.

For example, where the showerhead is connected to a source of temperature controlled water by a flexible hose and/or by pipe(s), the tube may extend within the hose and/or pipe(s).

This arrangement may be usefully employed where the source of pressurised gas or mixture of gases is combined with the source of temperature controlled water and has application both for new shower installations and for existing shower installations (retro-fit) where the tube may be fed through any existing hose and/or pipe(s).

Alternatively, a tube connecting the diffuser to the remote source may be routed externally of the water supply to the showerhead. The tube may extend alongside a flexible hose and/or pipe(s) supplying water to the shower head or may be arranged separately therefrom.

In another embodiment, the diffuser is connected to a source of the pressurised gas or mixture of gases local to the showerhead. For example the source of pressurised gas or mixture of gases may be mounted on the showerhead or adjacent to the showerhead.

Preferably, the source of gas or mixture of gases comprises a pump. The pump may be an electric pump or any other suitable type of pump, for example hydraulic. The pump may be activated manually when required.

Alternatively, the pump may be activated automatically in response to water flow rate. For example, a flow rate sensor may be arranged to monitor the water flow rate to or within the showerhead such that the pump is activated at or below a pre-determined flow rate and is de-activated above the pre-determined flow rate.

The pump may be operable to deliver pressurised gas or mixture of gases at a constant or fixed rate. Alternatively, the pump may be operable to deliver gas or mixture of gases at a variable flow rate.

Any other source of pressurised gas or mixture of gases may be employed.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided in or for a showerhead, a device for adding a pressurised gas or mixture of gases into the water stream prior to discharge from the showerhead, wherein the addition of pressurised gas or mixture of gases does not alter the flow rate of the water stream.

By maintaining the water flow rate, the temperature of the water discharged from the showerhead is not affected by the addition of gas or a mixture of gases to the water stream.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a shower installation employing a showerhead according to the first or second aspects of the invention.

The installation may be an electric shower employing an instantaneous water heater to heat the water supplied to the showerhead.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of adding gas or a mixture of gases to a water stream in a shower, the method comprising the steps of providing a source of pressurised gas or mixture of gases and connecting the source to a diffuser for adding the gas or mixture of gases to a stream of water upstream of an outlet for discharging the water from a showerhead.

The outlet may comprise one or more nozzles in a spray plate and the diffuser may be located within the showerhead behind the spray plate.

The invention will now be described in more detail by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like reference nunierals are used to indicate corresponding parts and wherein: FIGURE 1 is a part sectional view of a shower handset according to a first embodiment of the invention; and FIGURE 2 is a part sectional view of a shower handset according to a second embodiment of the invention.

Figure 1 shows a shower handset 1 comprising a hollow body 3 having a spray head 5 at one end and a spigot 7 at the other end for connecting the handset 1 to a water supply (not shown).

The spigot 7 is connected to a coupling 9 at one end of a flexible hose 11 by mating screw threads for releasably connecting the handset 1 to the hose 11 although other means for providing a releasable connection may be employed. A coupling (not shown) at the other end of the hose 11 is connected, preferably releasably, to a source (not shown) of temperature controlled water for delivery to the handset 1.

The spray head 5 has a plurality of nozzles 13 in a spray plate 15 through which water is discharged to create a spray pattern for showering. The spray head 5 may be a detachable cartridge and may be adjustable to select different sets or combinations of nozzles 13 to produce different spray patterns and/or spray forces.

The source of temperature controlled water may be an instantaneous water heater having an inlet connected to a supply of cold water and an outlet connected to the hose 11. Such water heaters are well known and employ a heater tank (not shown) between the inlet and outlet that heats the water to a desired temperature for showering.

The heater tank typically has one or more electric heating elements for heating the water as it flows through the tank and control means is provided for selecting the power input to the heater tank and/or the water flow rate through the heater tank to achieve the desired outlet water temperature.

For a given power input to the heater tank, the temperature of the water delivered to the hose is increased by reducing the flow rate and reduced by increasing the flow rate if the temperature of the supply is constant.

In practice, the temperature of the supply can vary significantly between summer and winter with the result that, for a given power input, the flow rate to achieve the same outlet water temperature in winter is normally considerably lower than in summer.

Reducing the flow rate can affect the spray force and/or the spray pattern that is produced and may result in poor or unacceptable performance.

Increasing the power input to the heater tank that can be selected may reduce the problem but there are limits on the number and power of electric heating elements that can safely be employed.

In accordance with the present invention, a diffuser 17 is provided within the hollow body 3 of the handset 1 for adding a pressurised gas or mixture of gases such as air into the water stream upstream of the spray head 5.

The diffuser 17 is connected to a source (not shown) of the gas or mixture of gases by a flexible tube 19. The source of pressurised gas or mixture of gases may be a pump, for example an electric air pump where air is added to the water stream in the handset.

Other sources of pressurised gas or mixture of gases may be provided, for example a cylinder having a flow and/or pressure regulator may provide a source of low pressure compressed gas or mixture of gases.

In use, adding a pressurised gas or mixture of gases to the water stream within the handset has the effect of volumizing the water which increases both the perceived flow rate and spray force. This can enhance the perceived shower performance especially when using an instantaneous water heater to heat the water at the lower flow rates required so that the desired water temperature can be achieved in winter. The addition of the air does not alter the water flow rate and therefore does not affect the operation of the shower when the water source is an instantaneous electric water heater.

The pump may be combined with the source of temperature controlled water or it may be provided separately. For example, where the source of temperature controlled water is an instantaneous water heater, the pump may be mounted within the casing housing the other parts of the water heater and the tube 19 may conveniently extend from the handset 1 internally within the flexible hose 11 to the water heater for connection to the pump. It will be understood however that the tube 19 may be arranged externally of the hose 11.

The pump may be switched on and off by the user as desired. In this way, the effect of diffusing air into the water stream may be operated independently of the controls for selecting temperature and/or flow rate of the water discharged from the handset 1. In this arrangement, means may be provided to prevent the pump being activated if there is no flow of water or an insufficient flow of water.

Alternatively the pump may be switched on an off automatically in response to water flow rate. In this way, the effect of diffusing air into the water stream may be operated in combination with the controls for selecting water temperature and/or flow rate of the water discharged from the handset. For example, the pump may be activated to add air to the water stream when the detected flow rate falls to or below a pre-determined value for the selected water temperature and de-activated if the detected flow rate rises above the pre-determined value.

The pump may be operable to add air to the water stream at a fixed or constant rate. Alternatively, the pump may be operable to add air to the water stream at a variable rate. The variable rate may comprise a series of discrete flow rates between which the pump can be switched or an infinitely variable flow rate between upper and lower limits.

Referring now to Figure 2, an alternative embodiment of the invention is shown in which the diffuser 17 is connected to a pump 21 mounted on the handset 1. Operation of the pump may be controlled manually or automatically as described for the previous embodiment.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments above-described and that features of any embodiment may be employed separately or in combination with any other feature of the same or different embodiments.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A showerhead having means for adding a pressurised gas or mixture of gases into a water stream within the showerheaci prior to discharge from the showerhead.
2. A showerhead according to claim 1 wherein the means for adding pressurised gas or mixture of gases to the water stream does not reduce the actual water flow rate.
3. A showerhead according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the showerhead comprises a handset.
4. A showerhead according to any preceding claim wherein the pressurised gas or mixture of gases is added to the water stream within the showerhead upstream of a spray head having one or more nozzles through which the water is discharged.
5. A showerhead according to any preceding claim wherein, the pressurised gas or mixture of gases is added to the water stream by a diffuser operable to inject the gas or mixture of gases as a stream of fine bubbles.
6. A showerhead according to claim 5 wherein, the diffuser is connected to a source of the pressurised gas or mixture of gases remote from the showerhead.
7. A showerhead according to claim 6 wherein, the diffuser is connected to the remote source by a tube.
8. A showerhead according to claim 7 wherein, the tube is routed internally of a water supply to the showerhead.
9. A showerhead according to claim 8 wherein, the showerhead is adapted to be connected to a source of temperature controlled water by a flexible hose and the tube extends within the hose.
10. A showerhead according to claim 6 wherein, the tube is routed externally of a water supply to the showerhead.
11. A showerhead according to claim 10 wherein, the showerhead is adapted to be connected to a source of temperature controlled water by a flexible hose and the tube extends alongside the hose.
12. A showerhead according to claim 5 wherein, the diffuser is connected to a source of the pressurised gas or mixture of gases local to the showerhead.
13. A showerhead according to claim 12 wherein, the source of pressurised gas or mixture of gases is mounted on the showerhead.
14. A showerhead according to any of claims 6 to 13 wherein, the source of gas or mixture of gases comprises a pump.
15. A showerhead according to claim 14 wherein the pump is an electric pump.
16. A showerhead according to claim 14 or claim 15 wherein, the pump is activated manually when required.
17. A showerhead according to claim 14 or claim 15 wherein, the pump is activated automatically in response to water flow rate.
18. A showerhead according to claim 17 wherein, a flow rate sensor is arranged to monitor the water flow rate to or within the showerhead such that the pump is activated at or below a pre-determined flow rate and is de-activated above the pre-determined flow rate.
19. A showerhead according to any of claims 14 to 18 wherein, the pump is operable to deliver pressurised gas or mixture of gases at a constant or fixed rate.
20. A showerhead according to any of claims 14 to 18 wherein, the pump is operable to deliver gas or mixture of gases at a variable flow rate.
21. A showerhead according to any preceding claim wherein, the temperature of the water discharged from the showerhead is not affected by the addition of gas or a mixture of gases to the water stream.
22. A showerhead substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.
23. A showerhead substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.
24. A shower installation employing a showerhead according to any of the preceding claims.
25. A shower installation according to claim 24 comprising an electric shower employing an instantaneous water heater to heat the water supplied to the showerhead.
26. A method of adding gas or a mixture of gases to a water stream in a shower, the method comprising the steps of providing a source of pressurised gas or mixture of gases and connecting the source to a diffuser for adding the gas or mixture of gases to a stream of water upstream of an outlet for discharging the water from a showerhead.
27. A method according to claim 26 wherein the outlet comprises one or more nozzles in a spray plate.
28. A method according to claim 27 wherein, the diffuser is located within the showerhead behind the spray plate.
29. A method of adding gas or a mixture of gases to a water stream in a shower substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.
30. A method of adding gas or a mixture of gases to a water stream in a shower substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.