Pressurized showerhead having an array of digitally controlled valves
AssigneeKohler Co.
InventorsPete Kajuch, Jesse Miller
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A pressurized showerhead assembly for generating various spray sequences includes a housing, a water distribution line, and a plurality of electronically controlled valves. The housing defines an interior cavity and a spray face. The spray face defines a plurality of openings. The water distribution line is disposed within the interior cavity. The valves are disposed within the interior cavity and are fluidly coupled to the water distribution line. The valves are distributed across the interior cavity and are configured to control a flow of water passing through the plurality of openings.
Claims20
A showerhead assembly comprising:
- a housing defining an interior cavity and a spray face, the spray face defining a plurality of openings;
- a water distribution line disposed within the interior cavity;
- and
- a plurality of electronically controlled valves disposed within the interior cavity and fluidly coupled to the water distribution line, the plurality of electronically controlled valves distributed across the interior cavity and configured to control a flow of water passing through the plurality of openings.
A showerhead assembly comprising:
- a housing defining an interior cavity and a spray face, the spray face defining a plurality of openings;
- and
- a plurality of valve assemblies coupled to the housing, at least one valve assembly of the plurality of valve assemblies comprising:
- a plurality of electronically controlled valves configured to control a flow of water passing through the plurality of openings;
- a flow splitter coupled to the plurality of electronically controlled valves and configured to distribute flow between the plurality of electronically controlled valves;
- and
- a distributor coupled to at least one of the plurality of electronically controlled valves and engaging at least one opening of the plurality of openings.
A control system for a showerhead assembly, comprising:
- a plurality of electronically controlled valves;
- a user interface;
- and
- a controller communicably coupled to the plurality of electronically controlled valves and the user interface, the controller configured to:
- receive a user input from the user interface inclusive of a plurality of spray parameters associated with a form of a spray pattern that is observable by a user of a showerhead assembly;
- determine a plurality of pulse width modulation (PWM) parameters for the plurality of electronically controlled valves based on the plurality of spray parameters;
- and
- control the plurality of electronically controlled valves passed on the plurality of PWM parameters.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.