Patent Grant
11066822
This application claims priority to and the benefit of Chinese Priority Application No. 201810990362.8, filed Aug. 28, 2018. The entire disclosure of the foregoing application including the specification, drawings, claims and abstract, is incorporated herein by reference.
The present disclosure relates to the field of intelligent bathroom equipment-related technologies. More specifically, this application relates to an electromagnetic distributor for use with toilets and the like.
A water path distributor is typically provided in a water system of intelligent bathroom equipment for controlling water paths to achieve a water discharge mode desired by users. A conventional distributor typically controls water paths through engagement of a stator and a rotor. Specifically, a plurality of water inlets are formed circumferentially on the stator and one water outlet is formed on the stator, such that the water outlet and the water inlets are on the same circle. A stepper motor or the like provides a driving force to make the rotor and the stator rotate with respect to each other. When the water outlet on the rotor is aligned with one of the water inlets on the stator, one water path is open, while other water paths are in a closed state, thereby switching different water paths.
However, the above conventional distributor has the following defects. The conventional distributor is suitable for being arranged outside of a nozzle (e.g., a nozzle for cleaning bodies), and when the nozzle is preset with several water paths, it requires the same number of water pipes to be introduced into the nozzle, which leads to a complex structure. For existing distributors, a stepper motor rotates circumferentially to control positions of water outlets to switch among different water paths, which leads to a long response time and cannot meet the requirement for a quick switch. Lastly, the water paths of an existing distributor cannot be turned on or off independently, and only one path can be turned on at any moment, which does not meet diversified water discharge requirements.
In light of the issues and limitations noted above, it would be advantageous to provide an electromagnetic distributor for toilets, which is intended to overcome the defects, such as a complex structure, long response time, and unchanged water discharge mode.
The present disclosure provides such an electromagnetic distributor. At least one embodiment of the device includes a housing and a water channel disposed within the housing. The water channel includes an inlet, which is disposed at a first end of the housing, and an outlet, which extends toward a second end of the housing. The embodiment further includes a water discharge assembly disposed at the second end of the housing and a water discharge chamber disposed within the water discharge assembly. An outlet of the water channel is in fluid communication with the water discharge chamber, and at least two water outlets are disposed on a face of the water discharge assembly furthest away from the housing. Lastly, the embodiment includes a solenoid valve assembly disposed inside the housing. The solenoid valve assembly includes at least two electromagnetic switches, each associated with the at least two water outlets, and each electromagnetic switch independently controls opening/closing of the associated water outlet.
At least one embodiment of the electromagnetic distributor includes an inlet end cap disposed at the first end of the housing and configured with a water incoming chamber thereon. The water incoming chamber is in communication with the air, and the inlet of the water channel is in communication with the water incoming chamber.
At least one embodiment of the inlet end cap seals the first end of the housing.
At least one embodiment of each of the water outlets includes a plug that is located in the water discharge chamber. Each of the electromagnetic switches controls an open/close state of the corresponding water outlet by independently controlling a state of the corresponding plug.
At least one embodiment of the water discharge assembly includes a spring bracket and a splitter plate. The spring bracket and the splitter plate together define the water discharge chamber.
At least one embodiment includes the spring bracket disposed at one side close to the solenoid valve assembly, the splitter plate disposed at one side away from the solenoid valve assembly, the water outlets configured on the splitter plate, and the plugs mounted on the spring bracket.
At least one embodiment of the plugs include the plus connected to the spring bracket via elastic members, and an elastic force of the elastic members causes the plugs to seal the corresponding water outlets.
At least one embodiment of the spring bracket includes the spring bracket configured with at least two mounting grooves, and the plugs correspondingly, one-to-one, mounted inside the mounting grooves. The first end of the plug is moveably connected to a first inner wall of the mounting groove, a second end of the plug is connected, via the elastic member, to a second inner wall of the mounting groove opposing the first inner wall, and an elastic force of the elastic members causes the second end of the plug to approach the corresponding water outlet.
At least one embodiment of a distance between the first end of the plug and the water outlet includes a greater distance than a distance between the second end of the plug and the water outlet in a non-operating state.
At least one embodiment of each of the electromagnetic switches includes a switch bracket and a coil wound around the switch bracket. A magnetic force is generated when the coil is energized, and the magnetic force acts on the corresponding plug to control an open/close state of the plug.
At least one embodiment of the electromagnetic distributor further includes a control circuit board. The control circuit board controls the energizing state of the coil.
At least one embodiment of each of the coils includes the coils configured with a permanent magnet.
At least one embodiment of each of the coils includes the coils inserted with a static iron core, and magnetic sheets are mounted on the solenoid valve assembly.
At least one embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a toilet that includes a nozzle for cleaning bodies and the electromagnetic distributor according to any one of the preceding paragraphs or disclosed herein. The electromagnetic distributor is disposed inside the nozzle. An outer wall of the housing is attached to an inner wall of the nozzle, the first end of the housing faces an upstream direction of the nozzle, and the second end of the housing faces a downstream direction of the nozzle.
With the electromagnetic distributor according to embodiments of the present disclosure, the solenoid valve assembly can independently control each of the water outlets to be opened or closed, thereby achieving a water discharge mode desired by a user. Such electromagnetic distributor can be disposed inside a nozzle and does not need to be arranged separately outside the nozzle. Moreover, a plurality of water paths can be combined and switched by only introducing one water pipe into the nozzle, thereby simplifying the overall nozzle structure. The implementation of rapid switch and control of on and off of each water path in the nozzle as controlled by the solenoid valve assembly greatly shortens the response time and can meet the requirements of rapid switch and control. In addition, a plurality of electromagnetic switches are integrated, which can divide one path of incoming water into a plurality of paths of water discharge, and the plurality of paths can be controlled independently with no mutual interference, thereby meeting diversified water discharge requirements.
The disclosure will become more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements.
The present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.
The water discharge assembly 200 is disposed at the second end of the housing 100 and is configured with a water discharge chamber 210 therein. An outlet of the water channel 110 is in communication (e.g., fluid communication, structural, etc.) with the water discharge chamber 210. In a specific embodiment, the water discharge assembly 200 includes a spring bracket 240 and a splitter plate 250. The spring bracket 240 and the splitter plate 250 together define the water discharge chamber 210. At least one water outlet 220 is located on a face of the water discharge assembly 200. As shown in
An exemplary implementation process includes the following steps. The water discharge assembly 200 is not limited to the discrete structure set forth in the above embodiments, but may also be an integrally formed cavity structure. The cavity structure is in communication with the water channel 110, such that water flow in the water channel 110 can flow into the cavity structure. The water discharge assembly 200 may further be used to seal the second end of the housing 100 to prevent water from flowing from other positions than the water outlets 220 to affect the water spray effect.
The solenoid valve assembly 300 is disposed inside the housing 100. The solenoid valve assembly 300 includes at least two electromagnetic switches 310. The electromagnetic switches 310 correspond one-to-one to the plugs 230, and each of the electromagnetic switches 310 independently controls an open/close state of a corresponding plug 230.
In a non-operating state, each of the plugs 230 seals the corresponding water outlet 220 when acted on by the elastic member 260. When any one of the electromagnetic switches 310 is turned on, the corresponding plug 230 is configured to open, such that the water discharge chamber 210 is in communication with the air via the opened water outlet 220 and water in the water discharge chamber 210 can be sprayed out via the opened water outlet 220.
With the electromagnetic distributor according to the embodiment of the present application, the solenoid valve assembly 300 can independently control each of the water outlets 220 to open or close, thereby achieving a water discharge mode desired by a user. Such electromagnetic distributor can be disposed inside a nozzle, for instance, inside a nozzle for cleaning bodies, and does not need to be arranged separately outside the nozzle. Moreover, a plurality of water paths can be combined and switched by only introducing one water pipe into the nozzle, thereby simplifying the overall nozzle structure. The implementation of rapid switch and control of on and off of each water path in the nozzle as controlled by the solenoid valve assembly 300 greatly shortens the response time and can meet the requirements of rapid switch and control. In addition, a plurality of electromagnetic switches 310 are integrated, which can divide one path of incoming water into a plurality of paths of water discharge, and the plurality of paths can be controlled independently with no mutual interference, thereby meeting diversified water discharge requirements.
As shown in
The inlet end cap 400 can seal the first end of the housing 100 to prevent water from entering the housing 100 at positions other than the water channel 110. The inlet end cap 400 can seal the first end of the housing 100 also to prevent impacts by incoming water on the solenoid valve assembly 300 and other parts in the housing 100. The shape of the inlet end cap 400 matches the shape of the first end of the housing 100 and the connection of the two may enhance the overall structure rigidity to prevent deformation.
As shown in
In the implementation process of the present application, the solenoid valve assembly 300 may be implemented with various solenoid valves or other devices capable of controlling a magnetic field. An exemplary implementation manner is described below.
As shown in
As shown in
Each of the coils 312 are inserted with a static iron core 350, and magnetic sheets 360 are mounted on the solenoid valve assembly 300. The embodiment shown in
The multiple arrows in
Each of the coils 312 are configured with a permanent magnet 340. Through the cooperation between the permanent magnet 340 and the electromagnetic switch 310, long-time power-on can be prevented during the water discharging process. The role and effect of such a design will be described in detail below.
The operating principle and operating process of the electromagnetic distributor according to some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below through specific examples.
The non-operating state of the electromagnetic distributor is shown in
In the operating state, such as the open state of a single path as shown in
If the user chooses a combined water pattern, including but not limited to the dual-path water pattern as shown in
Based on the same invention concept, the embodiments of the present application further provide a toilet 500, as shown in
The water flow from the upstream direction outputs a water pattern desired by a user to the downstream direction through the electromagnetic distributor. The specific control process of the electromagnetic distributor has been described in detail above and will not be elaborated herein. The toilet according to the embodiments of the present disclosure simplifies the internal structure of the nozzle, thereby improving the assembly efficiency. When the user switches to a different water pattern, the response time is quick and the wait time is shortened. Multiple water paths may be independently controlled to open or close, thereby achieving combined water patterns, providing more options for the user and improving the user experience. It should be understood that the electromagnetic distributor according to the embodiments of the present disclosure not only can be used on a toilet, but also can be used on other bathroom products and other products requiring water spray or liquid spray.
With the electromagnetic distributor and the toilet according to an embodiment of the present application, the solenoid valve assembly 300 can independently control each of the water outlets 220 to open or close, thereby achieving a water discharge mode desired by a user. Such electromagnetic distributor can be disposed inside a nozzle and does not need to be arranged separately outside the nozzle. Moreover, a plurality of water paths can be combined and switched by only introducing one water pipe into the nozzle, thereby simplifying the overall nozzle structure. The implementation of rapid switch and control of on and off of each water path in the nozzle as controlled by the solenoid valve assembly 300 greatly shortens the response time and can meet the requirements of rapid switch and control. In addition, a plurality of electromagnetic switches 310 are integrated. The plurality of electromagnetic switches 310 can divide one path of incoming water into a plurality of paths of water discharge, and the plurality of paths can be controlled independently with no mutual interference, thereby meeting diversified water discharge requirements.
Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to describe the technical solution of the present application, rather than a limitation thereto. Although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, a person of ordinary skill in the art should understand that the technical solutions of the above embodiments may still be amended, or some technical features thereof may be replaced with equivalent parts. These amendments and replacements do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to depart from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application shall be subject to the appended claims.
As utilized herein, the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially,” and similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony with the common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. It should be understood by those of skill in the art who review this disclosure that these terms are intended to allow a description of certain features described and claimed without restricting the scope of these features to the precise numerical ranges provided. Accordingly, these terms should be interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequential modifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimed are considered to be within the scope of the disclosure as recited in the appended claims.
It should be noted that the term “exemplary” and variations thereof, as used herein to describe various embodiments, are intended to indicate that such embodiments are possible examples, representations, or illustrations of possible embodiments (and such terms are not intended to connote that such embodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples).
The term “coupled” and variations thereof, as used herein, means the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary (e.g., permanent or fixed) or moveable (e.g., removable or releasable). Such joining may be achieved with the two members coupled directly to each other, with the two members coupled to each other using a separate intervening member and any additional intermediate members coupled with one another, or with the two members coupled to each other using an intervening member that is integrally formed as a single unitary body with one of the two members. If “coupled” or variations thereof are modified by an additional term (e.g., directly coupled), the generic definition of “coupled” provided above is modified by the plain language meaning of the additional term (e.g., “directly coupled” means the joining of two members without any separate intervening member), resulting in a narrower definition than the generic definition of “coupled” provided above. Such coupling may be mechanical, electrical, or fluidic.
The term “or,” as used herein, is used in its inclusive sense (and not in its exclusive sense) so that when used to connect a list of elements, the term “or” means one, some, or all of the elements in the list. Conjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, and Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is understood to convey that an element may be either X, Y, Z; X and Y; X and Z; Y and Z; or X, Y, and Z (i.e., any combination of X, Y, and Z). Thus, such conjunctive language is not generally intended to imply that certain embodiments require at least one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z to each be present, unless otherwise indicated.
References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., “front,” “back,” “left,” “right,” “up,” “down,” “top,” “bottom,” “above,” “below”) are merely used to describe the orientation of various elements in the FIGURES. The terms “inner” and “outer” refer to directions toward or away from geometric centers of particular parts, respectively. It should be noted that the orientation of various elements may differ according to other exemplary embodiments, and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the present disclosure. Identical parts and components are represented by the same legends.
Although the figures and description may illustrate a specific order of method steps, the order of such steps may differ from what is depicted and described, unless specified differently above. Also, two or more steps may be performed concurrently or with partial concurrence, unless specified differently above. Such variation may depend, for example, on the software and hardware systems chosen and on designer choice. All such variations are within the scope of the disclosure. Likewise, software implementations of the described methods could be accomplished with standard programming techniques with rule-based logic and other logic to accomplish the various connection steps, processing steps, comparison steps, and decision steps.
It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the toilets electromagnetic distributor, as shown in the various exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Additionally, any element disclosed in one embodiment may be incorporated or utilized with any other embodiment disclosed herein. Although only one example of an element from one embodiment that can be incorporated or utilized in another embodiment has been described above, it should be appreciated that other elements of the various embodiments may be incorporated or utilized with any of the other embodiments disclosed herein.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 201810990362.8 | Aug 2018 | CN | national |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 101249479 | Aug 2008 | CN |
| Entry |
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| English machine translation of CN 101 249 479 A printed Dec. 8, 2020 (Year: 2020). |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20200071921 A1 | Mar 2020 | US |
