Drain system for bathtub
AssigneeKohler Co.
InventorsDavid H. Ritter, Brian S. Core, Douglas J. Brouwer, Keith S. Ruh, Autumn-Storm Antoinette McFaul
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A drain system for controlling a water level in a bathtub includes a drain exit assembly coupled to an exit drain of the bathtub and configured to receive water exiting the bathtub, a valve fluidly coupled to the drain exit assembly and operably coupled to a motor, and a pressure sensor communicatively coupled to the valve and in fluid communication with the drain exit assembly. The motor is configured to change the operational state of the valve based on a pressure sensed by the pressure sensor to control a water level within the bathtub.
Claims20
A system for controlling a water level in a bathtub, the system comprising:
- a drain exit assembly coupled to an exit drain of the bathtub, wherein the drain exit assembly is configured to receive water exiting the bathtub;
- a valve fluidly coupled to and disposed downstream of the drain exit assembly, the valve being operably coupled to a motor, wherein the motor is configured to change an operational state of the valve;
- and
- a pressure sensor communicatively coupled to the valve and in fluid communication with the drain exit assembly, the pressure sensor being housed in a pressure sensor housing that is configured to engage with a portion of the valve;
- wherein the motor is configured to change the operational state of the valve based on a pressure sensed by the pressure sensor to control a water level within the bathtub.
A method for controlling a water level in a bathtub, the method comprising:
- receiving, by a drain exit assembly, water exiting the bathtub, wherein the drain exit assembly is coupled to an exit drain of the bathtub;
- sensing, by a pressure sensor, a pressure associated with an inlet valve body coupled to a valve, wherein the valve is fluidly coupled to and disposed downstream of the drain exit assembly;
- and
- changing, by a motor, an operational state of the valve responsive to the pressure sensed by the pressure sensor;
- wherein the pressure sensor is in fluid communication with the drain exit assembly and operatively coupled to the valve, the pressure sensor being housed in a pressure sensor housing that is configured to engage with a portion of the valve beneath the bathtub.
A bathtub drain system comprising:
- a bathtub configured to receive water and having a first drain and a second drain;
- a drain exit assembly fluidly coupled to the first drain, the drain exit assembly configured to receive water flowing through the first drain;
- and
- an overflow drain assembly fluidly coupled to the second drain, the overflow drain assembly configured to receive water flowing through the first drain;
- wherein the overflow drain assembly is fluidly connected to the drain exit assembly downstream of a valve coupled to and disposed downstream of the drain exit assembly and upstream of the overflow drain assembly;
- wherein the valve is controlled by a motor and fluidly coupled with a pressure sensor, wherein the pressure sensor is disposed within a pressure sensor housing that is configured to receive a portion of the valve within one or more recesses, and wherein the pressure sensor is configured to sense a pressure associated with a water level in the bathtub;
- and
- wherein the motor is configured to change an operational state of the valve responsive to the pressure sensed by the pressure sensor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.