Electronic plumbing fixture fitting

• US 9,758,951 B2
• Filed: 03/07/2013
• Issued: 09/12/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fortune Brands Water Innovations LLC
• Original Assignee: Moen, Inc. (Canada) (Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc.)
• Inventors: Evans, Kenneth E., Pagano, Terrence A., Parikh, Harshil, Song, Inho, Weber, Eric M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bidder, Allana Lewin
• Assistant Examiner(s): Klotz, William R
• Application Number:
  US13/788,725
• Publication Number:
  US 20130248620A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,650 Days
• Field of Search: 4623, 4675-676, 4678, 4654, 4661, 137801, 25112901
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/04 Water-basin installations specially adapted to wash-basins or baths valves, faucets, mixing valves, taps F16K
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/0401 Fixing a tap to the sanitary appliance or to an associated mounting surface, e.g. a countertop
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/0402 with mounting from only one side
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/05 Arrangements of devices on wash-basins, baths, sinks, or the like for remote control of taps remote control of taps or the like per se F16K
• 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: E03C 2001/026 with flow restricting devices
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 2001/0415 having an extendable water outlet
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 19/006 Specially adapted for faucets
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 8/10 Detecting, e.g. by using light barriers by reflection from the object G01S17/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7737 Thermal responsive
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87281 System having plural inlets
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87338 Flow passage with bypass
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87507 Electrical actuator
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87579 Faucet attachment
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87692 With common valve operator
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87917 Flow path with serial valves and/or closures
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/9464 Faucets and spouts

Abstract

The present invention provides an electronic plumbing fixture fitting, such as an electronic faucet. The electronic plumbing fixture fitting includes a wand hose and a hose bracket. The hose bracket is operable to connect to a mounting shank and to the wand hose. The hose bracket is operable to position the wand hose between a mixed water outlet of a flow module and an inlet of the mounting shank such that a portion of the wand hose extends in a loop between the hose bracket and the inlet of the mounting shank. When installed, the hose bracket is in direct contact with the wand hose between the mixed water outlet of the flow module and the inlet of the mounting shank.

Claims

1. An electronic plumbing fixture fitting, comprising:

a housing, the housing being operable to mount above a mounting surface, the housing including a spout and a wand, the wand being operable to pull away from the spout, the wand including a discharge outlet operable to deliver water;

a mounting shank, the mounting shank being operable to extend downwardly from the housing, the mounting shank being operable to extend through and below the mounting surface, the mounting shank having a hollow interior, the mounting shank having an inlet;

an electronic valve, the electronic valve being operable to permit flow of water through the discharge outlet when the electronic valve is activated and to not permit flow of water through the discharge outlet when the electronic valve is deactivated;

a flow module, the flow module being operable to mount below the mounting surface, when mounted, the flow module being located upstream of the mounting shank, the electronic valve being located inside the flow module, the flow module including;

a cold water inlet operable to receive cold water from a cold water supply,

a cold water passage operable to fluidly connect the cold water inlet and the electronic valve,

a hot water inlet operable to receive hot water from a hot water supply,

a hot water passage operable to fluidly connect the hot water inlet and the electronic valve,

a mixed water outlet operable to discharge mixed water to the discharge outlet, and

a mixed water passage operable to fluidly connect the electronic valve and the mixed water outlet;

a wand hose, the wand hose being operable to fluidly connect the mixed water outlet of the flow module and the wand, the wand hose extending below the mounting surface and through the mounting shank and the spout; and

a hose bracket, the hose bracket being operable to connect to the mounting shank and to the wand hose, the hose bracket being operable to position the wand hose between the mixed water outlet of the flow module and the inlet of the mounting shank such that a first portion of the wand hose extends in a loop between the hose bracket and the inlet of the mounting shank;

wherein the hose bracket includes a mounting portion that is operable to thread onto the mounting shank;

when installed, the hose bracket being in direct contact with a second portion of the wand hose between the mixed water outlet of the flow module and the inlet of the mounting shank, and the hose bracket not being in direct contact with the first portion of the wand hose extending in the loop between the hose bracket and the inlet of the mounting shank; and

during operation, when the wand is pulled away from the spout, the wand hose does not move through the hose bracket.

2. The electronic plumbing fixture fitting of claim 1, wherein the hose bracket includes a guide portion that is operable to clamp onto the wand hose.

3. The electronic plumbing fixture fitting of claim 1, further including:

a sensor, the sensor being operable to send a signal when the electronic valve is to be activated; and

an electronics module, the electronics module being operable to receive the signal from the sensor when the electronic valve is to be activated and, in response, send a signal to the electronic valve to activate the electronic valve, the electronics module being operable to connect to the flow module.

4. The electronic plumbing fixture fitting of claim 1, further including:

a mechanical valve, the mechanical valve being operable to permit flow of water through the discharge outlet when the mechanical valve is opened and to not permit flow of water through the discharge outlet when the mechanical valve is closed, the mechanical valve being located outside the flow module;

wherein the flow module further includes;

a cold water outlet operable to discharge cold water to the mechanical valve,

a cold water passage operable to fluidly connect the cold water inlet and the cold water outlet,

a hot water outlet operable to discharge hot water to the mechanical valve,

a hot water passage operable to fluidly connect the hot water inlet and the hot water outlet,

a mixed water inlet operable to receive mixed water from the mechanical valve, and

a mixed water passage operable to fluidly connect the mixed water inlet and the mixed water outlet.

5. The electronic plumbing fixture fitting of claim 4, wherein:

the flow module includes a first side and a second side, the first side being opposite the second side;

the cold water inlet, the hot water inlet, and the mixed water outlet are located in the first side of the flow module; and

the cold water outlet, the hot water outlet, and the mixed water inlet are located in the second side of the flow module.

6. The electronic plumbing fixture fitting of claim 1, wherein edges of the flow module are chamfered.

7. The electronic plumbing fixture fitting of claim 1, wherein the wand hose includes a connector operable to fluidly connect the wand hose portions.

8. An electronic plumbing fixture fitting, comprising:

a housing, the housing being operable to mount above a mounting surface, the housing including a spout and a wand, the wand being operable to pull away from the spout, the wand including a discharge outlet operable to deliver water;

a mounting shank, the mounting shank being operable to extend downwardly from the housing, the mounting shank being operable to extend through and below the mounting surface, the mounting shank having a hollow interior, the mounting shank having an inlet;

an electronic valve, the electronic valve being operable to permit flow of water through the discharge outlet when the electronic valve is activated and to not permit flow of water through the discharge outlet when the electronic valve is deactivated;

a flow module, the flow module being operable to mount below the mounting surface, when mounted, the flow module being located upstream of the mounting shank, the electronic valve being located inside the flow module, the flow module including;

a cold water inlet operable to receive cold water from a cold water supply,

a cold water passage operable to fluidly connect the cold water inlet and the electronic valve,

a hot water inlet operable to receive hot water from a hot water supply,

a hot water passage operable to fluidly connect the hot water inlet and the electronic valve,

a mixed water outlet operable to discharge mixed water to the discharge outlet, and

a mixed water passage operable to fluidly connect the electronic valve and the mixed water outlet;

a wand hose, the wand hose being operable to fluidly connect the mixed water outlet of the flow module and the wand, the wand hose extending below the mounting surface and through the mounting shank and the spout; and

a hose bracket, the hose bracket being operable to connect to the mounting shank and to the wand hose, the hose bracket being operable to position the wand hose between the mixed water outlet of the flow module and the inlet of the mounting shank such that a first portion of the wand hose extends in a loop between the hose bracket and the inlet of the mounting shank;

wherein the hose bracket includes a mounting portion that is operable to thread onto the mounting shank, and a guide portion that is operable to connect to the wand hose;

when installed, the hose bracket being in direct contact with a second portion of the wand hose between the mixed water outlet of the flow module and the inlet of the mounting shank, and the hose bracket not being in direct contact with the first portion of the wand hose extending in the loop between the hose bracket and the inlet of the mounting shank; and

during operation, when the wand is pulled away from the spout, the wand hose does not move through the hose bracket.

9. The electronic plumbing fixture fitting of claim 8, wherein the guide portion is operable to clamp onto the wand hose.

10. The electronic plumbing fixture fitting of claim 8, further including:

a sensor, the sensor being operable to send a signal when the electronic valve is to be activated; and

an electronics module, the electronics module being operable to receive the signal from the sensor when the electronic valve is to be activated and, in response, send a signal to the electronic valve to activate the electronic valve, the electronics module being operable to connect to the flow module.

11. The electronic plumbing fixture fitting of claim 8, further including:

a mechanical valve, the mechanical valve being operable to permit flow of water through the discharge outlet when the mechanical valve is opened and to not permit flow of water through the discharge outlet when the mechanical valve is closed, the mechanical valve being located outside the flow module;

wherein the flow module further includes;

a cold water outlet operable to discharge cold water to the mechanical valve,

a cold water passage operable to fluidly connect the cold water inlet and the cold water outlet,

a hot water outlet operable to discharge hot water to the mechanical valve,

a hot water passage operable to fluidly connect the hot water inlet and the hot water outlet,

a mixed water inlet operable to receive mixed water from the mechanical valve, and

a mixed water passage operable to fluidly connect the mixed water inlet and the mixed water outlet.

12. The electronic plumbing fixture fitting of claim 11, wherein:

the flow module includes a first side and a second side, the first side being opposite the second side;

the cold water inlet, the hot water inlet, and the mixed water outlet are located in the first side of the flow module; and

the cold water outlet, the hot water outlet, and the mixed water inlet are located in the second side of the flow module.

13. The electronic plumbing fixture fitting of claim 8, wherein edges of the flow module are chamfered.

14. The electronic plumbing fixture fitting of claim 8, wherein the wand hose includes a connector operable to fluidly connect the wand hose portions.

15. An electronic plumbing fixture fitting, comprising:

a housing, the housing being operable to mount above a mounting surface, the housing including a spout and a wand, the wand being operable to pull away from the spout, the wand including a discharge outlet operable to deliver water;

a mounting shank, the mounting shank being operable to extend downwardly from the housing, the mounting shank being operable to extend through and below the mounting surface, the mounting shank having a hollow interior, the mounting shank having an inlet;

an electronic valve, the electronic valve being operable to permit flow of water through the discharge outlet when the electronic valve is activated and to not permit flow of water through the discharge outlet when the electronic valve is deactivated;

a flow module, the flow module being operable to mount below the mounting surface, when mounted, the flow module being located upstream of the mounting shank, the electronic valve being located inside the flow module, the flow module including;

a cold water inlet operable to receive cold water from a cold water supply,

a cold water passage operable to fluidly connect the cold water inlet and the electronic valve,

a hot water inlet operable to receive hot water from a hot water supply,

a hot water passage operable to fluidly connect the hot water inlet and the electronic valve,

a mixed water outlet operable to discharge mixed water to the discharge outlet, and

a mixed water passage operable to fluidly connect the electronic valve and the mixed water outlet;

a wand hose, the wand hose being operable to fluidly connect the mixed water outlet of the flow module and the wand, the wand hose extending below the mounting surface and through the mounting shank and the spout; and

a hose bracket, the hose bracket being operable to connect to the mounting shank and to the wand hose, the hose bracket being operable to position the wand hose between the mixed water outlet of the flow module and the inlet of the mounting shank such that a first portion of the wand hose extends in a loop between the hose bracket and the inlet of the mounting shank;

wherein the hose bracket includes a mounting portion that is operable to thread onto the mounting shank;

when installed, the hose bracket being in direct contact with a second portion of the wand hose by being clamped on the wand hose between the mixed water outlet of the flow module and the inlet of the mounting shank, and the hose bracket not being in direct contact with the first portion of the wand hose extending in the loop between the hose bracket and the inlet of the mounting shank; and

during operation, when the wand is pulled away from the spout, the wand hose does not move through the hose bracket.

16. The electronic plumbing fixture fitting of claim 15, wherein the hose bracket includes a guide portion that is operable to clamp onto the wand hose.

17. The electronic plumbing fixture fitting of claim 15, further including:

a mechanical valve, the mechanical valve being operable to permit flow of water through the discharge outlet when the mechanical valve is opened and to not permit flow of water through the discharge outlet when the mechanical valve is closed, the mechanical valve being located outside the flow module;

wherein the flow module further includes;

a cold water outlet operable to discharge cold water to the mechanical valve,

a cold water passage operable to fluidly connect the cold water inlet and the cold water outlet,

a hot water outlet operable to discharge hot water to the mechanical valve,

a hot water passage operable to fluidly connect the hot water inlet and the hot water outlet,

a mixed water inlet operable to receive mixed water from the mechanical valve, and

a mixed water passage operable to fluidly connect the mixed water inlet and the mixed water outlet.

18. The electronic plumbing fixture fitting of claim 15, further including:

a sensor, the sensor being operable to send a signal when the electronic valve is to be activated; and

an electronics module, the electronics module being operable to receive the signal from the sensor when the electronic valve is to be activated and, in response, send a signal to the electronic valve to activate the electronic valve, the electronics module being operable to connect to the flow module.

19. The electronic plumbing fixture fitting of claim 17, wherein:

the flow module includes a first side and a second side, the first side being opposite the second side;

the cold water inlet, the hot water inlet, and the mixed water outlet are located in the first side of the flow module; and

the cold water outlet, the hot water outlet, and the mixed water inlet are located in the second side of the flow module.

20. The electronic plumbing fixture fitting of claim 15, wherein edges of the flow module are chamfered.

21. The electronic plumbing fixture fitting of claim 15, wherein the wand hose includes a connector operable to fluidly connect the wand hose portions.