Patent Grant
11957283
Walk-in bathtubs provide easier ingress and egress through a water-tight, hinged door, and provide a seat for the bather. In walk-in bathtubs, there are multiple types of therapies and functions which can be provided, such as a whirlpool system with bath jets, a micro nano bubbles system with small jets, an air system, lights, heating pads, and a rapid water discharge system.
In the current walk-in baths on the market, the whirlpool, micro nano bubbles and rapid water discharge systems each require a separate pump. This is a two-fold problem as the pumps are expensive and there is very limited real estate underneath the bathtub to fit the components, plumbing and the electronics to operate the tub. The available space is generally confined to a compartment below the seat.
The present invention meets a need in the walk-in bath tub art by providing a bath tub with a reconfigurable water distribution system for selective operation of multiple functions independently with a single pump, and more particularly, for selectively independently providing through MNB jets a MNB micro-nano bubble function in the bath water held in the water reservoir, a pressurized water flow through the bath jets into the water reservoir, and a rapid water discharge mode to prepare for bather exiting of the walk-in bath tub. The present invention provides a reconfigurable water distribution system for a walk-in bath tub, comprising a motorized pump having an inlet connected to a suction port of a water reservoir of a walk-in bath tub and an outlet for delivering pressurized water during operation of the pump. A first valve has an inlet for receiving pressurized water from the pump, a first outlet for communicating pressurized water to a second valve, and a second outlet for communicating pressurized water to a drain, with the first valve selectively movable to a first position for communicating pressurized water through the first outlet for a selected one of a plurality of bathing functions and to a second position for communicating pressurized water through the second outlet for selective rapid draining function of the water reservoir. The second valve has an inlet for receiving pressurized water from the first valve and selectively positioned for communicating pressurized water selectively to a first piping system for a first type of bathing function and to a second piping system for a second type of bathing function. A controller connects to the first valve for moving between the first position or the second position for communicating pressurized water selectively and connects to the second valve for communicating pressurized water to the first piping system or to the second piping system when the first valve is in the first position, whereby the reconfigurable water distribution system selectively provides multiple operational bathing functions independently with one pump.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a walk-in bath tub with a reconfigurable water distribution system for operation with a single pump of a selected one of a plurality of bathing functions, comprising a motorized pump having an inlet connected to a suction port of a water reservoir of a walk-in bath tub and an outlet for delivering pressurized water during operation of the pump. A first T valve has an inlet for receiving pressurized water from the pump, a first outlet for communicating pressurized water to a second T valve, and a second outlet for communicating pressurized water to a drain for a bathing drain function, the first T valve selectively movable to a first position for communicating pressurized water through the first outlet for a selected one of a plurality of bathing functions and to a second position for communicating pressurized water through the second outlet for selective rapid draining of the water reservoir for the bathing drain function. A second T valve has an inlet for receiving pressurized water from the first T valve and selectively positioned for communicating pressurized water selectively to a first piping system having a first bath jet configured flowing micro bubbles into the water reservoir for a micro bubbles bathing function and to a second piping system having a plurality of second bath jets configured for jetting pressurized water into the water reservoir for a jetting bathing function. A controller connects to the first T valve for moving between the first position or the second position for communicating pressurized water selectively and connects to the second valve for communicating pressurized water to the first piping system or to the second piping system when the first valve is in the first position, whereby the reconfigurable water distribution system selectively provides three operational bathing functions independently with one pump.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of distributing water for independent selectable one of multiple bathing functions for a walk-in bath tub, comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a motorized pump having an inlet connected to a suction port of a water reservoir of a walk-in bath tub and an outlet for delivering pressurized water during operation of the pump;
(b) positioning a first valve to a first position for communicating pressurized water through the first outlet for a selected one of a plurality of bathing functions and to a second position for communicating pressurized water through the second outlet for selective rapid draining bathing function of the water reservoir, the first valve having an inlet for receiving pressurized water from the pump;
(c) positioning the second valve for communicating pressurized water selectively to a first piping system for a first type of bathing function and to a second piping system for a second type of bathing function, the second valve having an inlet for receiving pressurized water from the first valve, and
(d) operating a controller for moving the first valve between the first position or the second position for communicating pressurized water selectively and for moving the second valve for communicating pressurized water to the first piping system or to the second piping system when the first valve is in the first position,
In another aspect, the present invention provides a reconfigurable water distribution system for a walk-in bath tub, comprising a motorized pump having an inlet connected to a suction port of a water reservoir of a walk-in bath tub and an outlet for delivering pressurized water during operation of the pump. A valve has an inlet for receiving pressurized water from the pump and selectively positioned at least in a first position and a second position for communicating the pressurized water to one of a plurality of outlet ports for a respective bathing function for walk-in bathtubs, said plurality of bath tub functions comprising at least a quick drain function communicating the pressurized water to a sanitary drain and at least a bathing function communicating the pressurized water into the reservoir. A controller connects to the valve for moving the valve between the first position and the second position for communicating pressurized water selectively to one of the outlet ports of the first position and the second position, whereby the reconfigurable water distribution system selectively provides a plurality of operational bath tub functions independently with one pump.
Objects, advantages, and features of the present invention according of eh present disclosure will readily be appreciated by persons skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings.
In the following detailed description and in the several figures of the drawing, like elements are identified with like reference numerals. The figures are not to scale, and relative feature sizes may be exaggerated for illustrative purposes.
A walk-in tub installation is shown in
The tub structure 10 defines an open space 20 under and behind the seat 16, into which the tub installation pump, control and water pipes are installed. This space can be quite limited in volume, with the installation equipment mounted to a platform 22. The equipment includes a motor driven pump 30, and an electronic controller unit 24. A user interface control panel 42 is positioned for ready access by the user, to control operation of the tub functions.
The tub installation includes a network of water jets 32, through which water is pumped by the pump under pressure to provide a therapeutic effect for the user. A recirculating water flow path is provided, with the pump drawing bathing water from the reservoir through a suction fitting 34, and direct pressurized water from the pump to the water jets 32. This is a first function provided by the installation.
Another function which may be implemented in an exemplary embodiment is a rapid water discharge function, activated by the user once finished bathing, to actively pump water out from the reservoir into the drain, to speed up the tub drain process so that the user when finished bathing, may open the door 14 without water escaping through the door opening. This function may be implemented by use of the pump 30 as well, without requiring a separate pump dedicated to the rapid water discharge function.
Another function which may be implemented in an exemplary embodiment is a micro-nano bubble (MNB) function, in which water and entrained air is forced through a small jet or a network of small jets, typically known as MNB jets, positioned in the tub walls. This function delivers air-entrained water to the small jets, creating a milk-water effect. This MNB function may be implemented in an exemplary embodiment without requiring a separate pump dedicated to this function. In this embodiment, air is entrained in the water at the pump.
In accordance with aspects of the invention, two or more functions can be realized in a bathing installation, such as a walk-in tub, with a reconfigurable water distribution system including a pipe network, a single pump and one or more valves, typically motorized valves controlled by the controller 24, in accordance with user commands entered on a control panel mounted on the tub structure. The valves are typically controlled by signals from the controller 24. Several embodiments are described below, with respect to
The system 50 further includes a second T fitting 62-2, with an inline port connected to the pipe section 60-3, a T port connected to pipe section 60-6, and the opposite inline port connected to pipe section 60-4, whose opposite end is connected through an elbow fitting to an input port of a motorized valve 64-3. The opposite end of pipe section 60-6 is connected to an input port of another motorized valve 64-2. The output port of valve 64-2 is connected to a pipe manifold 60-7, which serves the array of bath jets 32, or, in the case of a single bath jet, directly to the bath jet. The output port of valve 64-3 is connected to pipe section 60-5, whose terminal end is connected to a drain 38 for the tub. Typically, the drain connection will be to an overflow connection for the tub, so that water can be discharged whether the tub drain stopper is in place or not, for example, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,549,678, for an accelerated tub drain for a walk-in tub installation, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by this reference.
The reconfigurable system 50 is configured to provide three functions, the MNB jet function, the water jet function, or the fast water discharge function, with a single pump. For the MNB function, the valve 64-1 is set to the on position, and valves 64-2 and 64-3 are set to the off position. With the pump operating, the entire pump discharge is sent to the MNB jets, and no water is sent to the jets 32 or to the drain. For the jet function, valves 64-1 and 64-3 are closed, and valve 64-2 is opened, sending all water to the bath jets 32 while the pump is operating. For the fast water discharge function, valves 64-1 and 64-2 are closed and valve 64-3 is opened, sending all water from the pump to the drain 38 while the pump is operating.
The pipe sections may be rigid pipe sections, flexible pipe sections or a combination of rigid and flexible. The valves are connected to the controller 40, which supplies control signals to the valves.
The electronic controller 24 operates the first and second motorized T valves 64-10 and 64-11. The first motorized T valve 64-10 is biased to a first position for directing water from the first outlet through the connector pipe 60-10 to the inlet of the second motorized T valve 64-11. This closes or prevents water flow from the second outlet of the first T valve 64-10 to the drain through the drain pipe 60-5. The second motorized T valve is selectively positioned for water flow outwardly from the first outlet to the MNB jet 36 or from the second outlet to the pressurized flow jets 32. The interface control panel 42 displays the operative status or position of the second T valve. Alternatively, the second T valve 64-11 may be biased to one function or the other.
Upon filling of the water reservoir 12, the water distribution system 110 illustrated in
Upon selection of the pressurized jet bathing function, the pump 30 if operating stops. The motorized T valve 64-11 moves to direct water flow to the second outlet for communication of pressurized water through the connector pipe 60-7 to the bath jets 32 and into the bath water of the reservoir. The pump 30 starts and the pressurized water jets into the bath water. The bather may alternate the selection of the independent MNB jet or pressurized jet water flow for bathing functions.
To exit the bath tub, the bather selectively operates a fast drain switch on the interface control panel 42. In the illustrative embodiment, the switch is held for a predetermined period such as 3 seconds. The interface control panel 42 then prepares for raid drain function of the bath water for bather egress. The pump 30 if operating stops. The first T valve 64-10 operates to move to a second water flow position. This closes the first outlet and opens the second outlet for communicating water to the drain through the drain pipe 60-5. The pump 30 then starts and pressurized water flows from the pump through the supply pipe 60-2 into the inlet of the T valve 64-10 and out of the second outlet to the drain pipe 60-5 and to the drain. The first T valve 64-10 being closed to the first outlet does not communicate pressurized water to the second T valve 64-11. The pump 30 operates for a predetermined period to drain water from the water reservoir. Preferably the pump operates for a period sufficient to lower the water level below a threshold of the door to the water reservoir. This allows bather egress through the door of the walk-in bath tub. The pump stops. Residual water drains through the floor drain 38 to the drain. The interface control panel 42 then operates to move the first T valve 64-10 to the first position closing the second outlet to the drain and opening the first outlet for communicating water to the second T valve 64-11. The bath tub 10 is then ready for a subsequent filling of the water reservoir and bathing.
The water flows into the valve 64-12 through the inlet 122 and out through one of the three outlet ports 124, 126, or 128. The pipe section 60-1 connects between the suction fitting 34 in the tub wall to the suction port of the pump 30, and allows water to be drawn from the water reservoir 12 for pumping from the suction port through the pump. The pipe section 60-2 connects to the inlet 122 of the valve 64-12. The outlet port 124 connects with the pipe section 60-8 to the MNB microbubbles generator 36. The outlet port 126 connects to the pipe 60-7 to the bath jets 32. The outlet port 128 connects with the pipe section 60-5 to a sanitary drain. The floor drain 38 of the reservoir 12 also connects to the drain (such as to the pipe section 60-5). The electronic controller 24 connects to the interface control panel 42 and the motorized controller for the valve 64-12 for selective operation of the three bathing functions or operating modes for MNB treatment, pressurized jets, or rapid water discharge in preparation for the bather to exit the bath tub 10.
With reference to
Upon filling of the water reservoir 12, the water distribution system 110 illustrated in
Upon selection of the pressurized jet function, the pump 30 if operating stops. The valve 64-12 moves to direct water flow to the outlet 126 for communication of pressurized water through the connector pipe 60-7 to the bath jets 32 and into the bath water of the reservoir. The pump 30 starts and the pressurized water jets into the bath water. The bather may alternate the selection of the independent MNB jet or pressurized jet water flow for bathing functions.
To exit the bath tub, the bather selectively operates a fast drain switch on the interface control panel 42. In the illustrative embodiment, the switch is held for a predetermined period such as 3 seconds. The interface control panel 42 then prepares for raid drain bathing function of the bath water for bather egress. The pump 30 if operating stops. The valve 64-12 operates to move to the quick drain position for outlet 128. The pump 30 then starts and pressurized water flows from the pump through the supply pipe 60-2 into the valve 64-12 and out of the outlet port 128 to the drain pipe 60-5 and to the sanitary drain. The pump 30 operates for a predetermined period to drain water from the water reservoir. Preferably the pump operates for a period sufficient to lower the water level below a threshold of the door to the water reservoir. This allows bather egress through the door of the walk-in bath tub. The pump stops. Residual water drains through the floor drain 38 to the sanitary drain. The interface control panel 42 then operates to move the valve 64-12 to the position for communicating through the outlet port 126 for the bath jets 32. The bath tub 10 is then ready for a subsequent filling of the water reservoir and bathing.
Although the foregoing has been a description and illustration of specific embodiments of the subject matter, various modifications and changes thereto can be made by persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/195,529 filed Nov. 19, 2018, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference and of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/081,881, filed Oct. 20, 2020, issued Dec. 29, 2020 as U.S. Pat. No. 10,874,260, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20220110489 A1 | Apr 2022 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 16195529 | Nov 2018 | US |
| Child | 17081881 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 17081881 | Oct 2020 | US |
| Child | 17644878 | US |
