Integrated electronic shower system

• US 9,032,564 B2
• Filed: 05/06/2013
• Issued: 05/19/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/11/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Delta Faucet Company (Masco Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Delta Faucet Company (Masco Corporation)
• Inventors: Reeder, Ryan A., Stohler, Spencer L., Mendenhall, Andrew B., Zink, Paul T., Rodenbeck, Robert W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tuan N
• Application Number:
  US13/887,780
• Publication Number:
  US 20130239321A1
• Time in Patent Office: 743 Days
• Field of Search: 460/1, 462/3, 466/8, 467/6, 461/5, 467/5
• US Class Current: 4/601
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/055 Electrical control devices, e.g. with push buttons, control panels or the like
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/057 touchless, i.e. using sensors
• CPC Class Codes: E03D 9/04 Special arrangement or operation of ventilating devices ventilating rooms in general F24F

Abstract

An integrated bathroom electronic system including a plurality of sensors to detect conditions within a bathroom and to provide signals indicative thereof to a controller. A plurality of distinct and exclusive modules or subsystems are illustratively provided for integration into the system. Such modules may include a quick hot water module, a roman tub module, a custom shower module, a hands free faucet module, and a tub shower module. In certain illustrative shower modules, a user interface includes a plurality of user defined presets, each preset including a shower setting stored in memory.

Claims

1. A shower system comprising:

a plurality of water outlets configured to discharge water when active;

a controller including a memory and configured to control the discharge of water through the plurality of outlets;

a user interface in communication with the controller and including a plurality of user presets;

a plurality of actuators in communication with the controller and operably coupled to the plurality of water outlets, each of the actuators configured to adjust the position of at least one of the water outlets;

a plurality of electrically operable valves operably coupled to the controller and in fluid communication with the plurality of water outlets to control the discharge of water from the water outlets; and

wherein each preset is associated with at least one of the actuators, and activating each preset controls the at least one actuator and the resulting position of the associated water outlet.

2. The shower system of claim 1, wherein the actuator is configured to drive the at least one water outlet in translational movement.

3. The shower system of claim 1, wherein the actuator is configured to drive the at least one water outlet in rotational movement.

4. The shower system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of water outlets includes a plurality of body sprays and an overhead shower.

5. The shower system of claim 1, wherein each preset of the user interface includes a shower setting stored in memory by a user and defining an arrangement of active water outlets and a set temperature of water discharged from the active water outlets.

6. The shower system of claim 1, further comprising a temperature control valve operably coupled to the controller and in fluid communication with a hot water supply and a cold water supply to control the temperature of water discharged from the active water outlets.

7. A shower system comprising:

a plurality of body sprays;

a plurality of actuators operably coupled with the plurality of body sprays, each of the actuators configured to move one of the body sprays;

a user interface operably coupled with the plurality of actuators;

wherein input to the user interface causes at least one of the actuators to move at least one of the body sprays in at least one of translational movement and rotational movement.

8. The shower system of claim 7, further comprising a controller including a memory and in communication with the actuators.

9. The shower system of claim 8, wherein the user interface includes a plurality of user presets, wherein each preset is associated with at least one of the actuators, and activating each preset controls the at least one actuator and the resulting position of the associated body spray.

10. The shower system of claim 9, wherein each preset of the user interface includes a shower setting stored in memory by a user and defining an arrangement of active water outlets and a set temperature of water discharged from the active water outlets.

11. The shower system of claim 10, further comprising a plurality of electrically operable valves operably coupled to the controller and in fluid communication with the plurality of water outlets to control the discharge of water from the water outlets.

12. The shower system of claim 11, further comprising a temperature control valve operably coupled to the controller and in fluid communication with a hot water supply and a cold water supply to control the temperature of water discharged from the active water outlets.