Mode control valve in showerhead connector

A showerhead comprising

• a connector portion configured for coupling to a water pipe and operable to receive water flow therefrom;
• a mode selector connected to the connector portion and defining a first chamber, a second chamber, and a third chamber, the mode selector comprising a valve seal, wherein
• the second and third chambers are positioned downstream from the first chamber;
• and
• the mode selector is configured to receive the water flow from the water pipe in the first chamber and selectively direct the water flow through a valve bore to the second chamber and the third chamber, wherein the water flow maintains a substantially straight flow direction between the first chamber and either the second chamber or the third chamber;
• a spray head portion operative to receive the water flow from the mode selector and distribute the water flow to a user;
• a first fluid conduit coupled to and between the second chamber of the mode selector and the spray head portion and operable to transport the water flow from the mode selector to the spray head portion;
• a second fluid conduit coupled to and between the third chamber of the mode selector and the spray head portion and operable to transport the water flow from the mode selector to the spray head portion;
• and
• the valve seal seals against a substantially planar surface surrounding the valve bore.

A showerhead system comprising

• a spray head having a plurality of nozzles and configured to receive and distribute water flow through the plurality of nozzles to a user;
• a support structure coupled to the spray head and configured to receive and transport water flow to the spray head;
• a first fluid conduit housed within the support structure and coupled at a first end to a first channel in the spray head associated with a first set of the plurality of nozzles;
• a second fluid conduit housed within the support structure and coupled at a first end to a second channel in the spray head associated with a second set of the plurality of nozzles;
• and
• a mode selector comprising a valve seal and defining an aperture, the mode selector configured to transition between a first position associated with a first chamber defined within the mode selector and a second position associated with a second chamber defined within the mode selector and thereby to direct water flow through the aperture from a third chamber defined within the mode selector to the first chamber and the second chamber, respectively, based on the selected first or second position, respectively, wherein
• the third chamber is positioned upstream from both the first and second chambers;
• and
• the valve seal seals against a substantially planar surface surrounding the aperture;
• the mode selector further defines a first outlet port in fluid communication with the first chamber and a second outlet port in fluid communication with the second chamber;
• wherein
• the first outlet port is operatively coupled to a second end of the first fluid conduit and the second outlet port is operatively coupled to a second end of the second fluid conduit to transport water flow from the mode selector to the spray head.