A water installation

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a water installation comprising a hand shower, a hose, and a connection structure for connecting the hand shower to the hose. The connection structure has a first end and an opposite second end, where the first end has a first attachment structure configured for attachment to the hose, and where the second end has a second attachment structure configured for attachment to the hand shower. The connection structure forms a passage from the first end to the second end for a flow of water from the hose to the hand shower. The connection structure comprises a valve arranged in the passage between the first end and the second end, where the valve is changeable between an open configuration allowing a flow of water through the connection structure, and a closed configuration blocking a flow of water though the connection structure. The valve comprises a valve and a compressible member biasing the piston towards a position where the valve is in the closed configuration. The water installation further comprises an engagement structure for releasably snap engagement between the shower head and the hose at an engagement position by sliding movement of the shower head and the hose relative to each other along a connection axis, wherein the compressible member is being compressed by movement of the shower head and the hose towards the engagement position to thereby releasably lock the shower head to the hose while compressing the compressible member. The valve is configured to be changed from the open configuration to the closed configuration by a force of a flow of water and a force of the compressible member. The valve is configured to be changed from the closed configuration to the open configuration by engagement between the shower head and the hose at the engagement position.

Description

[0001] A WATER INSTALLATION

[0002] Field of the disclosure

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a water installation comprising a hand shower, a hose, and a connection structure for connecting the hand shower to the hose, where the connection forms a passage for a flow of water from the hose to the hand shower.

[0004] Background of the disclosure

[0005] Traditionally, hand showers may be replaced regularly when worn out. In a pressurised system, maintenance may thus require shutting of water to avoid the person taking care of maintenance, such as a technician or plumber, being wet. However, even though the water is shut off, water from the hose may still splash onto the person.

[0006] Although water pipes may be cleaned, for example by flushing, such cleaning is often inefficient as bacteria in the water typically grow to form a biofilm adhering strongly to, and covering large areas of, the pipe interior. Harmful pathogens within the biofilm include bacteria of the Legionella genus which cause Legionellosis in the form of pneumonia (Legionnaires' disease) and other respiratory illnesses (Pontiac fever). The bacteria Legionella pneumophila is responsible for over 90% of the Legionellosis cases, and 90% of the Legionella bacteria in the pipe is found within the biofilm. Other contaminants in the water include the parasites Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidum and the bacteria Mycobacterium Avium.

[0007] When replacing hand showers, water including such bacteria may splash onto the person taking case of replacement, who will not only be wet but will also be exposed to pathogenic bacteria.

[0008] Description of the disclosure

[0009] It is an object of embodiments of the disclosure to provide an improved water installation.

[0010] According to a first aspect, the disclosure provides a water installation comprising a hand shower, a hose, and a connection structure for connecting the hand shower to the hose, the connection structure having a first end and an opposite second end, the first end having a first attachment structure configured for attachment to the hose, and the second end having a second attachment structure configured for attachment to the hand shower, the connection structure forming a passage from the first end to the second end for a flow of water from the hose to the hand shower, the connection structure comprising a valve arranged in the passage between the first end and the second end, wherein the valve is changeable between an open configuration allowing a flow of water through the connection structure, and a closed configuration blocking a flow of water through the connection structure, the valve comprising a piston and a compressible member biasing the piston towards a position where the valve is in the closed configuration, the water installation further comprising an engagement structure for releasably snap engagement between the hand shower and the hose at an engagement position by sliding movement of the hand shower and the hose relative to each other along a connection axis, wherein the compressible member is being compressed by movement of the hand shower and the hose towards the engagement position to thereby releasably lock the hand shower to the hose while compressing the compressible member, wherein the valve is configured to be changed from the open configuration to the closed configuration by a force of a flow of water and a force of the compressible member, and wherein the valve is configured to be changed from the closed configuration to the open configuration by engagement between the hand shower and the hose at the engagement position.

[0011] When changing the configuration from open to closed by a force of a flow of water and force of the compressible member, it may be achieved that water contained in the hose remains in the hose and does not splash onto a person removing the hand shower from the hose, or at least that the amount of water splashing or leaking from the hose is considerably reduced.

[0012] The water installation comprises a hand shower, a hose, and a connection structure for connecting the hand shower to the hose. The hose may in one embodiment be made of plastic, such as PVC, and may as an example be formed as a sandwich construction or as a single layer construction.

[0013] The connection structure has a first end and an opposite second end, where the first end has a first attachment structure configured for attachment to the hose, and where the second end having a second attachment structure configured for attachment to the hand shower. The first and second attachment structures may comprise an inner or outer threading, a click- coupling / snap-coupling or engagement, a flange, or another structure allowing for attachment of a hose to the first end and attachment of a hand shower to the second end. The first and second attachments structures may allow for releasable attachment of the hose and the hand shower, respectively.

[0014] The connection structure may comprise a plurality of elements which may be made of different materials, such as plastic or polymer materials, e.g., POM, ABS, PE, PP, PA, PS, PVC, PVA, PTFE, PET, PMMA, PLA, PC, MBS, Polyester, or similar materials. The plastic material is easy workable and can be shaped to any desired shape. However, some of the elements of connection structure may be manufactured from metallic material selected from e.g., bras, copper, iron, and steel. The metallic material may be chromium plated. Metallic materials are suitable for use in water supply systems as they are durable and resist cleaning processes such as decalcification or cleaning by sterilizing chemical solutions based on alcohols or hydrogenperoxide active ingredients.

[0015] The connection structure forms a passage from the first end to the second end for a flow of water from the hose to the hand shower, when the hose and the hand shower are attached to opposite ends of the connection structure.

[0016] To be able to stop a flow of water through the connection structure, the connection structure comprises a valve arranged in the passage between the first end and the second end. The valve is changeable between an open configuration allowing a flow of water through the connection structure, and a closed configuration blocking a flow of water though the connection structure.

[0017] The valve comprises a piston and a compressible member biasing the piston towards a position where the valve is in the closed configuration. The compressible member may as an example be a spring, a compressible rubber element, or similar. The compressible member may be elastically deformable and may in the extended state bias the piston towards the position where the valve is in the closed configuration. When compressing the deformable member, the valve may change from the closed configuration to the open configuration.

[0018] The valve is configured to be changed from the open configuration to the closed configuration by a force of a flow of water and a force of the compressible member. Thus, a change from the open configuration to the closed configuration is effectuated by a flow of water and the compressible member, as the flow of water from the hose towards the hand shower may exert a pressure on the valve, which pressure together with the compressible member biasing the valve towards the closed configuration will change the configuration. The valve is configured to be changed from the closed configuration to the open configuration by engagement between the hand shower and the hose at the engagement position. Thus, a change from the closed configuration to the open configuration may be effectuated by attachment of the hand shower to the second end, whereby the hand shower may exert a pressure on the valve, where the pressure may be larger than the pressure exerted by the compressible member and the water.

[0019] By providing the water installation with a hand shower which upon attachment hereof to the connection structure changes the configuration of the valve from a closed to an open configuration, it may be achieved that valve is kept in the open configuration as long as the hand shower is attached to the connection structure.

[0020] When removing the hand shower from the connection structure, the configuration may automatically change to the closed configuration, as the change is effectuated by a flow of water and the force of the compressible member. Consequently, it may be achieved that water contained in the hose does not splash onto a person removing the hand shower from the hose, or at least that the amount of water splashing or leaking from the hose is considerably reduced.

[0021] The hose is attachable to the first end of the connection structure via the first attachment structure. In use, the hose may at one end be attached to the connection structure and at the opposite end be attached to a water outlet, such as a water tap to allow a flow of water to the hand shower via the hose forming a hollow structure and the connection structure forming a passage from the first end to the second end of the connection structure.

[0022] The water installation further comprises an engagement structure for releasably snap engagement between the hand shower and the hose at an engagement position by sliding movement of the hand shower and the hose relative to each other along a connection axis. The engagement structure may comprise a first engagement part and a second engagement part which upon mutual engagement provide the releasably snap engagement between the hand shower and the hose.

[0023] In one embodiment, one of the first and second engagement parts may form part of the hose, whereas the other one of the first and second engagement parts may form part of the connection structure to allow releasably snap engagement between the hand shower and the hose. In an alternative embodiment, one of the first and second engagement parts may form part of the hand shower, whereas the other one of the first and second engagement parts may form part of the connection structure to allow releasably snap engagement between the hand shower and the hose. In an even further alternative, the connection structure may comprise a first part and a second part, where one of the first and second engagement parts may form part of the first part, whereas the other one of the first and second engagement parts may form part of the second part to allow releasably snap engagement between the hand shower and the hose.

[0024] In the context of the present invention, the term 'snap engagement' should be understood as an engagement between two parts, where the engagement is achieved by pushing the two parts together; i.e. by sliding movement of the hand shower and the hose towards each other along the connection axis. 'Snap engagement' may alternatively be denoted 'click engagement'. The compressible member is being compressed by movement of the hand shower and the hose towards the engagement position to thereby releasably lock the hand shower to the hose, while compressing the compressible member.

[0025] The piston may be moveable between a first position and a second position along the connection axis extending through the first end to the second end. A change from the open configuration to the closed configuration may comprise movement of the piston from the first position to the second position. When the piston, in this embodiment, is in the first position, the valve is in the open configuration allowing a flow of water through the passage of the connection structure. On the contrary, when the piston, in this embodiment, is in the second position, the valve is in the closed configuration hindering a flow of water through the passage of the connection structure.

[0026] In one embodiment, the connection structure comprises a first part comprising the first attachment structure and a second part comprising the second attachment structure, the first and second part being releasably attached to each other. In this embodiment, the first part of the connection structure may be attached to the hose via the first attachment structure, whereas the second part of the connection structure may be attached to the hand shower via the second attachment structure. In this embodiment, the first and second attachment structures may as an example each comprise an inner threading for attachment of the hose and hand shower, respectively, via an outer threading on each of the hose and hand shower. In an alternative embodiment, one or both of the attachment structures may be formed as an alternative structure, such as oppositely arranged inner and outer threading or such as a click coupling / a snap engagement.

[0027] The water installation comprises an engagement structure for releasably snap engagement between the hand shower and the hose. The engagement structure may comprise a first engagement part and a second engagement part to provide the snap engagement. This may be achieved by geometrically locking the first and second engagement structures to each other. The first part of the connection structure may comprise the first engagement part, whereas the second part of the connection structure may comprise the second engagement part. This may provide the ability of attaching the first part of the connection structure to the hose and attaching the second part of the connection structure to the hand shower. Subsequently, the hand shower and the hose may be brought into engagement with each other at the engagement position by sliding movement of the hand shower and the hose relative to each other along the connection axis. It should be understood that the hand shower and the hose may be attached to opposite ends of an assembled connection structure where the first part may subsequently be separated from the second part.

[0028] When the hose and the hand shower are brought into engagement with each other, the valve changes from the closed configuration to the open configuration allowing a flow of water from the hose through the connection structure to the hand shower. As the engagement structure is configured for releasably snap engagement between the hose and the hand shower, the hose and the hand shower may be brought out of engagement, whereby the configuration of the valve changes from open to closed by a force of the flow of water and a force of the compressible member.

[0029] The first part of the connection structure may form a first contact face facing the second part of the connection structure, whereas the second part of the connection structure may form a second contact face facing the first part, when aligning the first and second parts to attach the first and second part to each other. Compression of the compressible member may be initiated upon contact between the first and the second contact faces. This compression may be increased until the hand shower engages the hose at the engagement position.

[0030] In one embodiment, the first part comprises a cavity, and the second part comprises a protrusion, where the first contact face is arranged in the cavity and the second contact face is arranged at the protrusion. It should be understood that in an alternative embodiment, the first part may comprise a protrusion, where the first contact face may be arranged, whereas the second part may comprise a cavity in which the second contact face may be arranged. The outer circumference (a sidewall / sidewalls extending along the connection axis) of the cavity may provide guidance for the protrusion when inserting at least a part of the protrusion into cavity.

[0031] The cavity and the protrusion may be of a size ensuring that the protrusion is at least partly inserted into the cavity forming an overlap between the first part and the second part of the connection structure along the connection axis prior to contact between the first and the second contact faces. This may facilitate a substantially even pressure on the compressible member, as the sliding movement of the hand shower and the hose relative to each other may be a substantially parallel movement. One of the first and second engagement parts may be configured for movement transverse to the connection axis for engagement between the hand shower and the hose. Consequently, the movement of the engagement part(s) and the sliding movement of the hand shower and the hose may be separated from each other.

[0032] The first engagement part may comprise an engagement element movable between an extended configuration and an extracted configuration, where movement of the first engagement element may be transverse to the connection axis. The second engagement part may comprise an engagement space. The engagement element in the extended configuration may be positioned at least partly in the engagement space, when the hand shower is releasably engaged to the hose.

[0033] The first engagement part may form a substantially circular opening transverse to the connection axis, where the second part of the connection structure may extend through the opening, when the hand shower is engaged to the hose. The engagement space of the second engagement part may be formed as a recess extending transverse, such as substantially perpendicular to the connection axis around a part of the second part of the connection structure. At the engagement position where the hand shower engages the hose, the engagement element may be positioned at least partly in the engagement space, while the second part of the connection structure may extend through the opening.

[0034] The hand shower may be configured for impact of an activation surface of the first engagement part to bring the first engagement part into engagement with the second engagement part. The impact may be via the second part of the connection structure which may be attached to the hand shower. To facilitate engagement between the hand shower and the hose, the activation surface may be inclined relative to the connection axis such that the hand shower when sliding along the activation surface, the first engagement part may be pushed in a direction transverse to the connection axis.

[0035] The engagement element may terminate at a free end, where the free end may form a first wall portion substantially parallel to the connection axis, and a second wall portion arranged in an inclined angle relative to the to the first wall portion. The inclined angle may be in the range of 5-50 degrees relative to the connection axis. The second wall portion may form the activation surface which the hand shower may impact to bring the first engagement part into engagement with the second engagement part.

[0036] The engagement structure may comprise a second compressible member biasing the first engagement part towards the second engagement part. Release of the hand shower from the hose may include a step of compressing the second compressible member to bring the first engagement part out of engagement with the second engagement part.

[0037] The second compressible member may as an example comprise two springs attached to the first engagement part, where the two springs may be arranged substantially symmetrically relative to the connection axis on a plane transverse to the connection axis. By providing the two springs substantially symmetrically, e.g. by arranging them substantially parallel to each other on opposite sides of the connection axis, substantial uniform compression of the springs may be facilitated. The plane may be substantially perpendicular to the connection axis.

[0038] The water installation may further comprise an activator configured for release of the hand shower from the hose. The activator may form part of the engagement structure and may be configured for release of the hand shower from the hose by movement of the activator in a direction transverse to the connection axis. As an example, the first engagement part may be brought out of engagement with the second engagement part by the activator impacting the second compressible member by a force compressing the second compressible member.

[0039] The activator may be configured for activation at an outer surface of the connection structure, e.g. by exerting a pressure on the activator from outside the connection structure.

[0040] The piston may comprise an elongated structure extending from a front end to a rear end substantially along the connection axis, where the front end may point towards the first end of the connection structure, while the rear end may point towards the second end of the connection structure. The term elongated should be understood as an element where the size of the element along the connection axis is at least twice the size perpendicular to the connection axis.

[0041] The piston may further comprise a guiding structure which may extend transverse to the elongated structure and may be attached to the rear end. The cross-sectional size of the guiding structure may be larger than the cross-section size of the elongated structure, such as 50% larger, such as 75% larger, such as 100% larger, such as 150% larger, or even larger, where the cross-sectional size is in a direction transverse to the connection axis.

[0042] A protrusion may be arranged in the passage in the connection structure transverse to the connection axis. The protrusion may extend along an inner surface of the connection structure to form a constriction of the passage. In the closed configuration, a part of the piston may abut the protrusion to close the passage to thereby block a flow of water. The protrusion may be formed integrally with the connection structure or may be formed as a separate structure which is subsequently attached to inner surface. In a further alternative, the protrusion is a separate element arranged in the passage.

[0043] In one embodiment, an opening member may be attached to the hand shower, where the opening member may extend into the passage when the hand shower is attached to the connection structure via the second attachment structure, such as attached to the second part of the connection structure. The opening member may form part of the second part of the connection structure. The opening member may in one embodiment abut the piston, such as the guiding structure to move the piston away from the second position to the first position to thereby change the configuration of the valve from the closed configuration the open configuration. In one embodiment, an end face of the opening member forms second contact face, whereas the first contact face facing the second part of the connection structure may be a surface part of the piston.

[0044] In one embodiment, the compressible member comprises a spring arranged circumferentially around the piston, such as around at least a part of the elongated structure. In an alternative embodiment, a hollow compressible rubber element may be arranged around the elongated structure. Other similar compressible structures may also be applied.

[0045] The connection structure may comprise at least one sealing element arranged circumferentially around the piston for sealing of the passage in the closed configuration. The sealing element may as an example be an O-ring, such as an O-ring made of rubber or another flexible material allowing for deformation of the sealing element to increase sealing. In one embodiment, one of the at least one sealing elements is arranged for sealing against the protrusion in the closed configuration.

[0046] The elongated section of the piston may have an x-shaped cross-section transverse to the connection axis. The x-shaped cross-section may facilitate a flow of water when the valve is in the open configuration. As an alternative to an x-shaped cross-section, one or more recesses may be arranged in the elongated section along the connection axis.

[0047] The connection structure may comprise a flow regulator for regulation of a flow of water through the passage. The flow regulator may be formed as a grid or another mechanical element with a plurality of openings which element may work in conjunction with a soft O- ring to level out the flow through the installation, mainly for protection of the hand shower or acting as a water saving element of the installation. Thus, the flow regulator may be arranged to reduce the amount of water flowing through the connection structure by obstructing a part of the passage. In one embodiment, the first part of the connection structure may comprise the flow regulator.

[0048] The connection structure may comprise antimicrobial / biocidal / bacteriostatic additive. The antimicrobial / biocidal / bacteriostatic additive may be a chemical substance, e.g., Ag ions, which may be integrated in a part or in parts of the materials of the connection structure and may serve to eliminate or reduce bacteria growth on the connection structure inside or outside, thereby reducing the risk of transfer of pathogen bacteria. As an example, the antimicrobial / biocidal / bacteriostatic additive may be mixed with a plastic material before manufacturing parts of the connection structure to thereby form a connection structure comprising an antimicrobial / biocidal / bacteriostatic additive. Colour, e.g., in the form of powder, may additionally or alternatively be mixed with the plastic material to form a coloured connection structure which may comprise a biocide. The hand shower may additionally be manufactured of a material comprising a biocide.

[0049] The connection structure may be designed for avoiding unintentional release of the first part from the second part, and thereby avoid unintentional release of the hand shower from the hose. This may be achieved by an activator being activatable by a tool comprising a rod-like structure which may be used to exert a pressure on the activator via an aperture in the connection structure.

[0050] The hand shower may comprise a check valve to prevent water from flowing out of the hand shower when released from the hose. Thereby, it may be achieved that water contained in the hand shower does not splash onto a person removing the hand shower from the hose, or at least that the amount of water splashing or leaking from the hand shower is considerably reduced. The check valve may further prevent water from flowing in reverse direction while the hand shower is engaged to the hose.

[0051] In one embodiment, the hand shower comprises a filter unit for filtration of water. The filter unit may comprise a membrane which as an example may comprise poly-sulfone hollow fibres. Other types of membranes may also be used. To provide a membrane of sterilizing grade type, the pore sizes of the membrane may be up to 0.1 pm. The hollow fibres may be fixated by a potting material which may be capable of separating the contaminated water from the filtered water.

[0052] The hose may terminate in an end portion having a diameter being larger than a diameter of the hose, e.g., by moulding or otherwise attaching a flange to one end of the hose. The end portion, such as the flange, may abut an attachment rim in the passage to lock the hose to the connection structure. The attachment rim may be a protrusion arranged on a part of the inner surface of the connection structure and extending transverse to the connection axis, which attachment rim may form part of the first attachment structure for attaching the hose to the connection structure. In this embodiment the hose may be attached to the first part of the connection structure before attaching the first and second parts to each other.

[0053] According to a second aspect, the disclosure provides a connection structure for use in a water installation according to first aspect, where the connection structure has a first end and an opposite second end, the connection structure comprising a first part comprising a first attachment structure and a second part comprising a second attachment structure, the first and second parts being releasable attached to each other, the first attachment structure being configured for attachment to a hose, and the attachment structure being configured for attachment to a hand shower, the connection structure forming a passage from the first end to the second end for a flow of water, the connection structure comprising a valve arranged in the passage between the first end and the second end, wherein the valve is changeable between an open configuration allowing a flow of water through the connection structure, and a closed configuration blocking a flow of water though the connection structure, the valve comprising a piston and a compressible member biasing the piston towards a position where the valve is in the closed configuration, the connection structure further comprising an engagement structure for releasably snap engagement between the hand shower and the hose at an engagement position by sliding movement of the hand shower and the hose relative to each other along a connection axis, wherein the compressible member is being compressed by movement of the hand shower and the hose towards the engagement position to thereby releasably lock the hand shower to the hose while compressing the compressible member, wherein the valve is configured to be changed from the open configuration to the closed configuration by a force of a flow of water and a force of the compressible member, and wherein the valve is configured to be changed from the closed configuration to the open configuration by engagement between the hand shower and the hose at the engagement position.

[0054] It should be understood that a skilled person would readily recognise that any feature described in combination with the first aspect of the disclosure could also be combined with the second aspect of the disclosure, and vice versa. The connection structure according to the section aspect of the disclosure is very suitable for the water installation according to the second aspect of the disclosure. The remarks set forth above in relation to the water installation are therefore equally applicable in relation to the connection structure.

[0055] Brief ion of the

[0056] Embodiments of the disclosure will now be further described with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0057] Fig. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a water installation;

[0058] Figs. 2A+2B illustrate a section of the water installation of Fig. 1, where the valve is in the open configuration and the closed configuration, respectively;

[0059] Fig. 3 illustrates a section of an alternative embodiment of a water installation, where the valve is in the open configuration;

[0060] Fig. 4A illustrates sections of an embodiment of a water installation;

[0061] Fig. 4B illustrates sections of an alternative embodiment of a water installation;

[0062] Fig. 5 illustrates different views of a second part of a connection structure forming an opening member for an embodiment of a water installation;

[0063] Figs. 6A+6B illustrate two different hand showers for a water installation,

[0064] Fig. 7 illustrates an embodiment of a piston for a water installation.

[0065] Detailed ion of the

[0066] It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating embodiments of the disclosure, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the scope of the disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. Fig. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a water installation 1. The water installation 1 comprises a hand shower 2, a hose 3, and a connection structure 4 for connecting the hand shower 2 to the hose 2.

[0067] Figs. 2A+2B illustrate a section of the water installation of Fig. 1, where the valve is in the open configuration and the closed configuration, respectively

[0068] Figs. 2A+2B illustrate a section of the water installation 1 of Fig. 1 in more detail. The hand shower 2 and the hose 3 are attached to opposite ends of the connection structure 4. The connection structure 4 has a first end 5 and an opposite second end 6. The first end 5 has a first attachment structure 7 configured for attachment to the hose 3, whereas the second end 6 has a second attachment structure 8 configured for attachment to the hand shower 2. In the illustrated embodiment, the connection structure 4 comprises a first part 4A which comprises the first attachment structure 7 and a second part 4B which comprises the second attachment structure 8. The first and second parts 4A, 4B are releasably attached to each other.

[0069] The connection structure 4 forms a passage 9 from the first end 5 to the second end 6 for a flow of water from the hose 3 to the hand shower 2 along a connection axis X (indicated by the arrow) which extends through the first end 5 and the second end 6.

[0070] In the illustrated embodiment, the first attachment structure 7 comprises a flange 10 along an inner surface of the first part 4A of the connection structure 4. The hose 3 comprises an attachment rim 7A forming a protrusion arranged on a part of the inner surface 4' of the connection structure 4 to thereby attach the hose 3 to the first part 4A of the connection structure 4. The attachment rim 7A extends transverse to the connection axis X.

[0071] The illustrated hose 3 is formed as a sandwich construction and terminates in an end portion 3A having a diameter being larger than the diameter of the hose 3 which is achieved by the attachment rim 7A at the end of the hose. The flange 10 abuts the attachment rim 7A to attach the hose 3 to the connection structure 4.

[0072] The second attachment structure 8 configured for attachment of the hand shower 2 to the second part 4B of the connection structure 4 is formed as inner threading on the second part 4B which inner threading 8 engages an outer threading of the hand shower 2 to attach the hand shower 2 to the second part 4B of the connection structure 4.

[0073] The water installation 1 further comprises an engagement structure 29 for releasably snap engagement between the hand shower 2 and the hose 3 at an engagement position E by sliding movement of the hand shower 2 and the hose 3 relative to each other along the connection axis X. The compressible member / the spring 12 is being compressed by movement of the hand shower 2 and the hose 3 towards the engagement position E to thereby releasably lock the hand shower 2 to the hose 3 while compressing the compressible member 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the engagement structure 29 is formed as a snap / click coupling (more details are illustrated in Figs. 4A+4B). The engagement structure 29 comprises a first engagement part 29A and a second engagement part 29B, where the first part 4A of the connection structure 4 comprises the first engagement part 29A, and where the second part 29B of the connection structure 4 comprises the second engagement part 8B (more details are illustrated in Figs. 4A+4B).

[0074] The connection structure 4 comprises a valve 11 arranged in the passage 9 between the first end 5 and the second end 6. The valve 11 is changeable between an open configuration allowing a flow of water through the connection structure 4, and a closed configuration blocking a flow of water though the connection structure 4. The open configuration is illustrated in Fig. 2A, whereas the closed configuration is illustrated in Fig. 2B.

[0075] The valve 11 comprises a compressible member 12 in the form of a spring which biases the valve 11 towards the closed configuration. When compressing the spring 12, the valve 11 may change from the closed configuration to the open configuration.

[0076] A change from the open configuration to the closed configuration is effectuated by a flow of water and the compressible member 12, as the flow of water from the hose 3 towards the second end 6 of the connection structure 5 may exert a pressure on the valve 11, which pressure together with a force form the compressible member 12 biasing the valve 11 towards the closed configuration will change the configuration from open to closed.

[0077] The valve 11 further comprises a piston 13 being moveable between a first position A and a second position B along the connection axis X. A change from the open configuration to the closed configuration comprises movement of the piston 13 from the first position A to the second position B. When the piston is in the first position A, the valve 11 is in the open configuration, and the passage 9 is open. On the contrary, when the piston 13 is in the second position B, the valve 11 is in the closed configuration, and the passage is blocked.

[0078] The piston 13 comprises an elongated structure 13A extending from a front end 14 to a rear end 15 substantially along the connection axis X, where the front end 14 points towards the first end 5 of the connection structure 4, while the rear end 15 points towards the second end 6 of the connection structure 4. The piston 13 further comprises a guiding structure 13B which extends transverse to the elongated structure 13A and is attached to the rear end 15.

[0079] In the illustrated embodiment, the first part 4A of the connection structure 4 comprises a cavity 40 configured for receipt of a part of at least a part of the second part 4B of the connection structure 4. The second part 4B of the connection structure 4 comprises a protrusion 41.

[0080] The first part 4A of the connection structure 4 forms a first contact face 42 facing the second part of the connection structure 4B. In the illustrated embodiment, the first contact face 42 is an upper surface of the piston 13. The first contact face 42 is arranged in the cavity 40. The second part 4B of the connection structure 4 forms a second contact face 43 facing the first part 4A of the connection structure 4. The second contact face 43 is arranged at the protrusion 41 of the second part 4B of the connection structure 4. When aligning the first and second parts 4A, 4B to attach the hand shower 2 to the hose 3, the first and second contact faces 42, 43 are brought into contact with each other, whereby compression of the compressible member / the spring 12 is initiated upon contact between the first and the second contact faces 42, 43. This compression is increased until the hand shower 2 engages the hose 3 at the engagement position E.

[0081] The outer circumference 44 (the sidewall extending along the connection axis) of the cavity 40 may provide guidance for the second part 4B of the connection structure 4, when inserting at least a part of the second part 4B into cavity 40. The depth D of the cavity 40; i.e. the dimension of the cavity 40 along the connection axis may be in the range of 7.5-20 mm. In the illustrated embodiment, the depth is approximately 14 mm. By keeping the dimension D low, the overall dimension of the connection structure with the engagement structure can be kept low, while providing a water installation with a connection structure comprising a valve being configured for changing to the closed configuration when releasing the hand shower from the hose.

[0082] The cavity 40 and the second part 4B are of a size ensuring that the second part 4B is at least partly inserted into the cavity 40 to form an overlap between the first part 4A and the second part 4B along the connection axis X prior to contact between the first and the second contact faces 42, 43.

[0083] A protrusion 16 is arranged in the passage 9 in the connection structure 4 transverse to the connection axis X. The protrusion 16 extends along the inner surface 4' of the connection structure 4 to thereby form a constriction of the passage 9. In the closed configuration, the piston 13 closes the passage 9 and thereby block a flow of water, when the hand shower 2 is removed from the connection structure 4.

[0084] A change from the closed configuration to the open configuration is effectuated by engagement between the hand shower 2 and the hose 3. This is achieved by a pressure exerted by the hand shower 2, where the pressure is larger than the pressure exerted by the compressible member / spring 12 and the water.

[0085] In the illustrated embodiment, second part 4B of the connection structure comprises an opening member 17 in the form of the protrusion 41 configured for opening the valve 11. The opening member 17 / the protrusion 41 extends into the passage 9, when the hand shower 2 is engaged to the hose 3 via the engagement structure 29. The opening member 17 at the second contact face 43 abuts the first contact face 42 of the guiding structure 13B of the piston 13 to move the piston 13 away from the second position B to the first position A to thereby change the configuration of the valve 11 from the closed configuration to the open configuration. Two circumferentially arranged rims 30 are arranged on the opening member

[0086] 17 for holding an O-ring 18 for sealing, while water flow through the passage 9. The O-ring

[0087] 18 is arranged between the two rims 30.

[0088] The first part 4A of the connection structure 4 further comprises a sealing element 18 arranged circumferentially around the piston 13 for sealing of the passage 9 in the closed configuration, when a part of the elongated structure 13A abuts the protrusion 16 (see Fig. 2B). In the illustrated embodiment, the sealing element 18 is formed by an O-ring, such as a rubber O-ring.

[0089] The elongated structure 13B of the piston 13 may have an x-shaped cross-section transverse to the connection axis X (See Fig. 7). The x-shaped cross-section may facilitate a flow of water when the valve 11 is in the open configuration.

[0090] The connection structure 4 further comprises a flow regulator 19 for regulation of a flow of water through the passage 9. The flow regulator 19 is arranged in the second part 4B of the connection structure 4 to reduce the amount of water flowing through the connection structure 4 by obstructing a part of the passage 9.

[0091] The hand shower 2 comprises a check valve 21 to prevent water from flowing out of the hand shower 2 when released from the connection structure 4 to avoid that water contained in the hand shower 2 splash onto a person removing the hand shower 2 from the hose 3 and the connection structure 4, or at least considerably reduce the amount of water splashing or leaking from the hand shower 2 upon removal. The hand shower 2 comprises a filter unit 22 for filtration of water flowing from the hose 2 via the connection structure 4 and the hand shower 2 to a user. The filter unit 22 may comprise a membrane (not shown) which as an example may comprise poly-sulfone hollow fibres. Other types of membranes may also be used.

[0092] Fig. 3 illustrates a section of an alternative embodiment of a water installation 1. The alternative embodiment of the water installation 1 is illustrated with the valve 11 in the open configuration where the hand shower 2 is engaged to the hose 2 via the connection structure 4.

[0093] In the illustrated embodiment, second part 4B of the connection structure 4 to which the hand shower 2 is attached comprises an opening member 17 / a protrusion 41 formed as a pyramid. The opening member 17 extends into the passage 9, when the hand shower 2 is engaged to the hose 3 via the engagement structure 29. The opening member 17 at the second contact face 43 abuts the first contact face 42 of the guiding structure 13B of the piston 13 to move the piston 13 away from the second position B to the first position A to thereby change the configuration of the valve 11 from the closed configuration the open configuration.

[0094] Figs. 4A+4B illustrate sections of two embodiments of a water installation 1 comprising an activator 23 for release of the first part 4A from the second part 4B of the connection structure 4 to thereby release the hand shower 2 from the hose. The activator 23 forms part of the engagement structure 8 for releasably snap engagement between the hand shower 2 and the hose 3.

[0095] In the illustrated embodiment, the first attachment structure 7 comprises a flange 10 abutting an attachment rim 7A terminating the hose 3 to attach the first part 4A of connection structure 4 to the hose 3.

[0096] The second attachment structure 8 configured for attachment of the hand shower 2 to the second part 4B of the connection structure 4 is formed as inner threading on the second part 4B which inner threading 8 engages an outer threading of the hand shower 2.

[0097] The water installation 1 comprises an engagement structure 29 for releasably snap engagement between the hand shower 2 and the hose 3 at an engagement position E by sliding movement of the hand shower 2 and the hose 3 relative to each other along the connection axis X. In the illustrated embodiment, the engagement structure comprises a first engagement part 29A and a second engagement part 29B which upon mutual engagement provide the releasably snap engagement between the hand shower 2 and the hose 3. The first engagement part 29A form part of the first part 4A of the connection structure 4, whereas the second engagement part 29B form parts of second part 4B of the connection structure 4 to allow releasably snap engagement between the hand shower 2 and the hose 3.

[0098] The first engagement part 29A is configured for movement transverse to the connection axis X for engagement between the hand shower 2 and the hose 3, such as configured for movement substantially perpendicular to the connection axis.

[0099] In the illustrated embodiment, the first engagement part 29A comprises an engagement element 23 and a second compressible member 25 in the form of two springs 25 attached to the engagement element 23.

[0100] The engagement element 23 is a substantially disk-shaped element which movable between an extended configuration and an extracted configuration. The second engagement part 29B comprises an engagement space 29B'. In the extended configuration, the engagement element 23 is positioned at least partly in the engagement space 29B, where the hand shower 2 is releasably engaged to the hose 3, as illustrated. The engagement space 29B' of the second engagement part 29B is formed as a recess extending substantially perpendicular to the connection axis around a part of the second part 4B of the connection structure 4.

[0101] The first engagement part 29A form a substantially circular opening 23A transverse to the connection axis, where the second part 4B of the connection structure 4 extends through the opening 23A, when the hand shower 2 is engaged to the hose 3. At the engagement position E where the hand shower 2 engages the hose 3, the engagement element 23 is positioned partly in the engagement space 29B', while the second part 4B of the connection structure 4 may extend through the opening 23A. The part of the engagement element 23 being arranged in the space 29B' may be seen as a locking pawl 26.

[0102] The hand shower 2 is configured for impact of an activation surface 50 (see Fig. 4B) of the first engagement part 29A to bring the first engagement part 29A into engagement with the second engagement part 29B. In the illustrated embodiment, the impact is via the second part 4B of the connection structure 4 being attached to the hand shower 2. The activation surface 50 is inclined relative to the connection axis X such that the second part 4B of the connection structure 4 with the hand shower 2, when sliding along the activation surface 50, pushes the first engagement part 29A in a direction transverse to the connection axis. When the hose 2 is brought into engagement with the hose 3, the impact on the activation surface 50 ends, and the engagement element 23 is positioned at least partly in the engagement space 29B by a movement opposite to the movement caused by the sliding movement of the hand shower 2 to thereby releasably engage the hand shower 2 to the hose 3. The engagement element 23 terminates at a free end 51 towards the opening 23A, where the free end 51 forms a first wall portion 52 substantially parallel to the connection axis X, and a second wall portion 53 arranged in an inclined angle relative to the to the first wall portion 52. In the illustrated embodiment, the second wall portion 53 forms the activation surface 50. The activation surface 50 is also illustrated in Fig. 3. It should be understood that an inclined activation surface 50 may be applicable also in other embodiments.

[0103] The engagement structure 29 comprises a second compressible member 25 biasing the first engagement part 29A towards the second engagement part 29B. Release of the hand shower 2 from the hose 3 includes a step of compressing the second compressible member 25 to bring the first engagement part 29A out of engagement with the second engagement part 29B.

[0104] In the illustrated embodiment, the second compressible member 25 comprises two springs 25 attached to the first engagement part 29A (see lower part of Fig. 4A+4B), where the two springs 25 are arranged substantially symmetrically relative to the connection axis X on a plane transverse to the connection axis.

[0105] The water installation 1 further comprises an activator 23 configured for release of the hand shower 2 from the hose 3. In the illustrated embodiment, the activator 23 forms part of the first engagement part 29 and is configured for release of the hand shower 2 from the hose 3 by movement of the activator 23, and thus the first engagement part 29A in a direction transverse to the connection axis. The first engagement part 29A can be brought out of engagement with the second engagement part 29B (the space), while the activator 23 impacting the second compressible member by a force compressing the second compressible member 25. The activator 23 is configured for activation at an outer surface of the connection structure by exerting a pressure on the activator 23 from outside the connection structure 4. When relieving the pressure again, the second compressible member 25 will ensure that the first engagement structure 29A is moved backwards again to the initial position.

[0106] In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 4B, the connection structure 4 is designed to avoid unintentional release of the first part 4A from the second part 4B. This is achieved by a protective ring 28 arranged circumferentially around the first part 4A to thereby cover the activator 23 which is activatable by a tool 55 comprising a rod-like structure 27 which can be used to exert a pressure on the activator 23 via an aperture 28A in the connection structure 4 and the protective ring 28.

[0107] In both Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B, the lower figure is a cross-sectional view of the upper figure. Fig. 5 illustrates different views of an embodiment of a second part 4B of a connection structure 4, the second part 4B forming an opening member 17 for a water installation 1. The opening member 17 is configured for attachment to the hand shower 2 by an inner threading 8 (second attachment structure 8 visible in Fig. 3). When attached to the hand shower 2, the opening member 17 will extends into the passage 9. The opening member 17 abuts the guiding structure 13B of the piston 13 to move the piston 13 away from the second position B to the first position A to thereby change the configuration of the valve 11 from the closed configuration the open configuration (see Fig. 2).

[0108] Two circumferentially arranged rims 30 are arranged on a middle section of the opening member 17 for holding an O-ring for sealing, while water flow through the X-shaped inner waterway. The O-ring may be arranged between the two rims 30.

[0109] The opening member 17 comprises an extension 31 terminating in a free end 32 which abuts the guiding structure 13B to thereby change the configuration from the closed to the open configuration. The X-shaped cross-section of the extension 31 facilitates a flow of water through the opening member 17.

[0110] A number of indentations 33 are arranged circumferentially round an outer periphery of the opening member 17. The indentations may facilitate mounting of the opening member 17 on the hand shower 2, as a tool (not shown) may engage some of these indentations 33.

[0111] In use, the recess 34 forms the engagement space 29B' of the second engagement part 29B.

[0112] Figs. 6A+6B illustrate two different hand showers 2 for a water installation 1. The embodiment illustrated in Fig. 6A comprises second part 4B of the connection structure 4 in the form of an opening member 17 as illustrated in the lower part of Fig.5, whereas the opening member 17 (second part 4B of the connection structure 4) in Fig. 6B does not comprise an extension 31 terminating in a free end 32. As an alternative, the lower end 34 of the opening member 2 may itself abut the guiding structure 13B of the piston 13 (see Fig. 2) to thereby change the configuration from the closed to the open configuration.

[0113] Fig. 7 illustrates different views of an embodiment of a piston 13 for a water installation 1. The elongated structure 13B of the piston 13 has an X-shaped cross-section transverse to the connection axis X facilitating a flow of water, when the valve 11 is in the open configuration. The X-shaped elongated structure 13B is attached to the guiding structure 13B also forming an X-shaped cross-section at its rear end 15 opposite to the front end 14. At the front end 14, a sealing member in the form of an O-ring is positioned.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A water installation comprising a hand shower, a hose, and a connection structure for connecting the hand shower to the hose, the connection structure having a first end and an opposite second end, the first end having a first attachment structure configured for attachment to the hose, and the second end having a second attachment structure configured for attachment to the hand shower, the connection structure forming a passage from the first end to the second end for a flow of water from the hose to the hand shower, the connection structure comprising a valve arranged in the passage between the first end and the second end, wherein the valve is changeable between an open configuration allowing a flow of water through the connection structure, and a closed configuration blocking a flow of water through the connection structure, the valve comprising a piston and a compressible member biasing the piston towards a position where the valve is in the closed configuration, the water installation further comprising an engagement structure for releasably snap engagement between the hand shower and the hose at an engagement position by sliding movement of the hand shower and the hose relative to each other along a connection axis, wherein the compressible member is being compressed by movement of the hand shower and the hose towards the engagement position to thereby releasably lock the hand shower to the hose while compressing the compressible member, wherein the valve is configured to be changed from the open configuration to the closed configuration by a force of a flow of water and a force of the compressible member, and wherein the valve is configured to be changed from the closed configuration to the open configuration by engagement between the hand shower and the hose at the engagement position.

2. The water installation according to claim 1, wherein the piston is moveable between a first position and a second position along the connection axis extending from the first end to the second end, wherein a change from the open configuration to the closed configuration comprises movement of the piston from the first position to the second position.

3. The water installation according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connection structure comprises a first part comprising the first attachment structure and a second part comprisingthe second attachment structure, the first and second part being releasably attached to each other.

4. The water installation according to claim 3, wherein the engagement structure comprises a first engagement part and a second engagement part, the first part of the connection structure comprising the first engagement part and the second part of the connection structure comprising the second engagement part.

5. The water installation according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the first part forms a first contact face, and the second part forms a second contact face, and wherein compression of the compressible member is initiated upon contact between the first and the second contact faces.

6. The water installation according to claim 5, wherein the first part comprises a cavity, the second part comprises a protrusion, and wherein the first contact face is arranged in the cavity and the second contact face is arranged at the protrusion.

7. The water installation according to claim 6, wherein the protrusion is at least partly inserted into the cavity forming an overlap between the first part and the second part along the connection axis prior to contact between the first and the second contact faces.

8. The water installation according to any of claim 4-7, wherein one of the first and second engagement parts is configured for movement transverse to the connection axis for engagement between the hand shower and the hose.

9. The water installation according to any of claims 4-8, wherein the first engagement part comprises an engagement element movable between an extended configuration and an extracted configuration, wherein the second engagement part comprises an engagement space, and wherein the engagement element in the extended configuration is positioned at least partly in the engagement space, when the hand shower is releasably engaged to the hose.

10. The water installation according to any of claims 4-9, wherein the hand shower is configured for impact of an activation surface of the first engagement part to bring the first engagement part into engagement with the second engagement part, the activation surface being inclined relative to the connection axis such that the hand shower when sliding along the activation surface, the first engagement part is pushed in a direction transverse to the connection axis.

11. The water installation according to claim 10, wherein the engagement element terminates at a free end, the free end forming a first wall portion substantially parallel to the connection axis, and a second wall portion arranged in an inclined angle relative to the to the first wall portion, the inclined angle being in the range of 5-50 degrees relative to the connection axis, the second wall portion forming the activation surface.

12. The water installation according to any of claims 4-11, wherein the engagement structure comprises a second compressible member biasing the first engagement part towards the second engagement part.

13. The water installation according to claim 12, wherein the second compressible member comprises two springs attached to the first engagement part, the two springs being arranged substantially symmetrically relative to the connection axis on a plane transverse to the connection axis.

14. The water installation according to any of claims 4-13, wherein the first engagement part forms a substantially circular opening transverse to the connection axis, the second part of the connection structure extending through the opening, when the hand shower is engaged to the hose.

15. The water installation according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising an activator configured for release of the hand shower from the hose, the activator forming part of the engagement structure and being configured for release of the hand shower from the hose by movement of the activator in a direction transverse to the connection axis.

16. The water installation according to claim 16, wherein the activator is configured for activation at an outer surface of the connection structure.

17. The water installation according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the compressible member comprises a spring arranged circumferentially around the piston.

18. The water installation according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a protrusion is arranged in the passage, the protrusion extending from an inner surface of the connection structure to form a constriction of the passage, and wherein the piston abuts the protrusion in the closed configuration to block the flow of water.

19. The water installation according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the connection structure comprises a sealing element arranged circumferentially around the piston for sealing of the passage in the closed configuration.

20. The water installation according to claim 18 and 19, wherein the sealing element is arranged for sealing against the protrusion in the closed configuration.

21. The water installation according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the piston comprises an elongated structure having an x-shaped cross-section transverse to the connection axis.

22. The water installation according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the connection structure comprises a flow regulator configured for regulation of a flow of water through the passage.

23. The water installation according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the connection structure comprises an antimicrobial additive.

24. The water installation according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the hand shower comprises a check valve configured to prevent water from flowing out of the hand shower when released from the hose.

25. The water installation according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the hand shower comprises a filter unit for filtration of water.

26. A connection structure for use in a water installation according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the connection structure has a first end and an opposite second end, the connection structure comprising a first part comprising a first attachment structure and a second part comprising a second attachment structure, the first and second parts being releasable attached to each other, the first attachment structure being configured for attachment to a hose, and the attachment structure being configured for attachment to a hand shower, the connection structure forming a passage from the first end to the second end for a flow of water, the connection structure comprising a valve arranged in the passage between the first end and the second end, wherein the valve is changeable between an open configuration allowing a flow of water through the connection structure, and a closed configuration blocking a flow of water though the connection structure, the valve comprising a piston and a compressible member biasing the piston towards a position where the valve is in the closed configuration,the connection structure further comprising an engagement structure for releasably snap engagement between the hand shower and the hose at an engagement position by sliding movement of the hand shower and the hose relative to each other along a connection axis, wherein the compressible member is being compressed by movement of the hand shower and the hose towards the engagement position to thereby releasably lock the hand shower to the hose while compressing the compressible member, wherein the valve is configured to be changed from the open configuration to the closed configuration by a force of a flow of water and a force of the compressible member, and wherein the valve is configured to be changed from the closed configuration to the open configuration by engagement between the hand shower and the hose at the engagement position.

Images