The present application claims priority to and the benefit of China P.R. Priority Application 201120424881.1, filed Oct. 31, 2011, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
The present disclosure is directed to a jet pipe apparatus, or connector device or apparatus, (e.g., for a bidet wand, spray wand, sprayer, etc.) used in plumbing fixture products (e.g., a toilet) to clean special parts of human body, as well as to a toilet or toilet seat having a spray wand.
In cleaning toilets having conventional jet pipe apparatuses, a plurality of connection pipes is typically used to connect a plurality of water paths (e.g., between a water source and a spray nozzle. Some connection pipes are conventionally coupled to a fixing seat by means of ultrasonic welding. For example,
More particularly,
When the connection pipe (e.g., 120c) and the fixing seat 110 are coupled to each other (e.g., integrally formed) by means of ultrasonic welding, as described above, molding to required design standards may be difficult. The welding process may result in scars and cracks, distortion and deformation, material overflow and rough edges, and other difficulty in meeting size tolerances.
A bidet wand for a toilet includes a nozzle, one or more inlet hoses, and a connector assembly configured to fluidly couple the nozzle to the one or more inlet hoses. The connector assembly includes one or more connector tubes, and first, second, and third members. Each connector tube is associated with one of the inlet hoses. The first, second, and third members are coupled to each other in generally axial alignment with each connector tube extending through the first member and the second member. Each inlet hose extends at least partially through the third member and is coupled to an inlet end of one of the connector tubes. The nozzle is configured to receive an outlet of each connector tube and at least a portion of the connector assembly therein.
A bidet wand includes a nozzle, a plurality of inlet hoses, and a connector device that couples the nozzle to the inlet hoses in fluidic communication. The connector device includes a plurality of connector tubes, a first member, a second member, and a third member. Each connector tube is associated with one of the inlet hoses. The first member includes a plurality of through holes, each through hole having one of the connector tubes extending therethrough. The second member includes a plurality of through holes, each through hole being aligned with one of the through holes of the first member and having one of the connector tubes extending therethrough. The third member has one of the inlets hoses extending at least partially therethrough The first member, second member, and third member are coupled to each other in generally axial alignment. An inlet end of each connector tube is connected in fluidic communication with one of the inlet hoses to form a water flow channel. The nozzle is connected to the connector assembly with an outlet end of each connector tube being received within the nozzle.
a-4d are alternative perspective views of the toilet seat shown in
a is a front, plan view of a front fixing member, according to an exemplary embodiment;
b is a rear, plan view of the front fixing member shown in
c is a three-dimensional view of the front fixing member shown in
a is a front, plan view of a rear fixing member, according to an exemplary embodiment;
b is a rear, plan view of the rear fixing member shown in
c is a three-dimensional view of the rear fixing member shown in
a is a rear, plan view of a fixing seat, according to an exemplary embodiment;
b is a rear, plan view of the fixing seat shown in
c is a three-dimensional view of the fixing seat shown in
To address the above technical problems, the present disclosure provides a new jet pipe apparatus for use in sanitary products (e.g., toilets, toilet seats, etc.). The jet pipe apparatus of varying embodiments can provide for easier mold stripping, can provide a simple and stable structure, can simplify the production, and can avoid the ultrasonic welding.
According to an exemplary embodiment, a jet pipe apparatus includes a jet pipe and a nozzle that is connected to an outlet end of the jet pipe by means of a socket (e.g., male/female relationship), wherein the jet pipe includes a plurality of connection pipes that are molded separately, a front fixing member, a rear fixing member, and a fixing seat. A plurality of inlet hoses are inserted into the side of the fixing seat that is far away from the nozzle (i.e., generally opposite the nozzle), while the other side thereof are coupled, and arranged sequentially, the rear fixing member and the front fixing member in the axial direction. A plurality of through holes are formed on the front fixing member and the rear fixing member, respectively, the plurality of connection pipes axially run or extend through the through holes on the front fixing member, the through holes on the rear fixing member, and the through hole or holes on the fixing seat, respectively, to be connected with the inlet hoses by means of a socket (i.e., male/female relationship), respectively, thereby forming water flow channels. The connection pipes are mutually coupled with the front fixing member, the rear fixing member, and the fixing seat.
According to an exemplary embodiment, a plurality of small holes are formed on the front fixing member and the rear fixing member, respectively, a plurality of bolt poles, with corresponding bolt holes, are formed on the fixing seat. A plurality of bolts run through the small holes on the front fixing member and the rear fixing member and are tightened into the bolt holes of the bolt poles on the fixing seat, thereby mutually fixing the front fixing member, the rear fixing member, and the fixing seat.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the socket connection between each of the connection pipes and the inlet hoses is fixed with a clamp. According to an exemplary embodiment, a sealing ring is fitted onto the outlet end of each of the connection pipe. A groove may also be formed on the outlet end of the connection pipe, and the sealing ring is inserted into the groove. According to an exemplary embodiment, one or more notches are formed at the through hole of the front fixing member, one or more ribs are formed on the connection pipe, and the rib of the connection pipe fits into a corresponding notch of the front fixing member.
According to an exemplary embodiment, one or more notches are formed at the through hole of the rear fixing member, one or more ribs are formed on the connection pipe, and the rib of the connection pipe fits into a corresponding notch of the rear fixing member. According to an exemplary embodiment, ribs are formed on a front half or portion of the base of the fixing seat, and correspondingly, there are corresponding grooves inside the nozzle socket for engagement therewith. According to an exemplary embodiment, a rear half or portion of the base of the fixing seat is locked and fixed with the nozzle socket via a locking device. According to an exemplary embodiment, a toilet or toilet seat includes the above jet pipe apparatus installed at the edge of the toilet close to the stool.
The jet pipe apparatus and the toilet or seat according to the various exemplary embodiments described herein achieve free flow in the pipes by means of mechanical connection and fixation, rather than by ultrasonic welding that is typically used in the prior art, thereby avoiding numerous drawbacks as a result of the ultrasonic welding. Moreover, two fixing members are used in the jet pipe apparatus to fix the connection pipes such that the fixation of the pipes is more stable and the water flow is less impeded than in a conventional jet pipe apparatus.
In the description and the figures, like reference numerals represent the like components.
a-4d depict the toilet or toilet seat 300 from different perspectives to further illustrate the installation relationship between the connection pipes (e.g., connector tubes) 100, the jet pipe 200, and the toilet or seat 300 (a nozzle is not depicted).
It should be noted that although three connection pipes 100 are shown in
A plurality of small holes 202b, 203b, respectively, may be further formed on the front fixing member 202 and the rear fixing member 203 for bolts, screws, or other fasteners to extend through, while the fixing seat 201 includes a plurality of corresponding bolt poles 201a having bolt holes or apertures 201b therein. A plurality of bolts or other threaded fasteners 208 run through the small holes 202b on the front fixing member 202 and the small holes 203b on the rear fixing member 203, and are inserted into the corresponding bolt holes 201b in the bolt poles 201a on the fixing seat 201, thereby mutually fixing or coupling the front fixing member 202, the connection pipes 100, the rear fixing member 203, and the base 205.
The bolts 208, which are used for fixation between the above parts, may also effectively prevent the misalignment among these parts and, thereby, prevent interference of the flowing water in the flow channels. According to other exemplary embodiments, the fixation or coupling between the above parts does not have to be by means of bolts, so long as the fixation can ensure the prevention of interference with the flowing water in the flow channels. For example, the above parts may be locked, respectively, such that they are closely fixed together without causing misalignment.
Moreover, it should be understood that although three bolts 208 are shown in
According to an exemplary embodiment, a sealing ring 206 may be fitted onto the outlet end of the connection pipe 100 (i.e., to engage the nozzle 400) to prevent the water flow from the connection pipe 100 from flowing back from outside of the connection pipe 100 to the hose 204. A groove (e.g., annular groove) 101a may be formed on the outlet end of the connection pipe 100 for more readily securing the sealing ring 206 to the connecting pipe 100.
a and
As shown in
As shown in
a and
As shown in
As shown in
a and
As shown in
According to an exemplary embodiment, ribs are formed on a front portion of the base 205 (i.e., opposite the hoses 204), which correspond to grooves inside a socket of the nozzle 400 for engagement therewith. The ribs enter the nozzle socket during installation for easy positioning. Moreover, a rearward portion of the base 205 is locked and fixed with the nozzle socket via a locking device.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
201120424881.1 | Oct 2011 | CN | national |