Aerator with dual spraying functions

Abstract

Disclosed is an aerator with dual spraying functions, including a flow control assembly, a water separator, and a water dispenser that are combined with a housing. The flow control assembly and the water separator are combined together and the water separator and the water dispenser are rotatably connected to each other. The water separator has a surface in which discharge holes are formed. The water dispenser has an internal chamber having a circumferential portion in which needle-like water channels are formed to correspond to the water separator. Bubbling water passages are formed between the needle-like water channels and a central portion surrounded by the needle-like water channels defines a bubbling water channel.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to an aerator applicable to a water discharge end of a water discharge device, such as a faucet, a spraying gun, a bidet, and a showerhead, and more particularly to an aerator with dual spraying functions of needle-like spray and bubbling spray.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

A water discharge end of a sanitary device, such as a basin faucet, a kitchen faucet, a pull-out faucet, a spraying gun, a bidet, a showerhead, is often equipped with an aerator. The function of the aerator is to supply a bubbling spray or a needle-like spray corresponding to the sites of applications and to supply sprays of flow rate that correspond to areas of different water pressure and different sites of applications in order to provide users with satisfactory washing effect while saving as much water as possible.

Most of the conventional basin faucets supply only bubbling water or needle-like water and there is generally no compact aerator that can be mounted to a basin faucet to switch between bubbling water and needle-like water. The consumers are only allowed to select between the needle-like spray aerator and the bubbling spray aerator. It is generally not possible to provide the consumers with two options and this may not suit the actual needs of the consumers for various types of cleansing jobs.

Although conventional kitchen faucets are often provided with a device for switching between a bubbling spray and a needle-like spray, in an operation of needle-like spray, a sealing structure must be preset between the needle-like water passage and the surrounding air or bubbling water passage. This makes the product complicated in structure and large in size, being not allowed to directly fit into a threading connection housing, whereby the entire faucet shows a complicated overall configuration and requires a high cost.

A conventional pull-out faucet 3 33 with the elastic body 32 interposed between the bottom base 33 and the top lid 31. The top lid 3 31 comprises through apertures 31 formed therein. The bottom base 33 has a non-central portion on which at least one raised peg 33A is formed to prevent failure of the elastic body 32 due to overloading resulting from water pressure exceeding and thus preventing discharge holes formed in the bottom base 33 from being blocked by the spring plate. The operation is as follows. The pawls 32A formed on the circumference of the elastic body 32 are arranged as downward extending structures so that when the elastic body 32 is placed in the bottom base 33, a central portion of the elastic body 32 is raised and suspended to allow water to flow through a space between a side edge of the elastic body 32 and the bottom base 33. When water pressure increases, the elastic body 32 undergoes elastic deformation that is gradually increased so that the lateral side area through which water may flow is gradually decreased. According to the formula: flow=flow speed×area through which water flows, when the water pressure is increasing, although the flow speed is increased, the area through which water flows is gradually reduced, the flow rate can be maintained substantially constant. Such flow controlling allows water flow to provide similar spraying effect for both low pressure and high pressure, making it energy saving and environment conservative.

Referring to FIGS. 5A-5C, the water separator 4 comprises a T-shaped disk having a disk surface in which discharge holes 4A are formed in an equally spaced manner in an area adjacent to a circumference of the disk. Each of the discharge holes has an upper end, where an energy accumulation pool 4D is formed. The energy accumulation pool 4D allows water to flow in a faster discharging speed thereby achieving a negative pressure of a larger range. The water separator 4 has a central portion on an underside of which posts 41 that comprise resilient cutoffs 4B and barbs 4E are formed so that the posts 41 are easily pressed into the water dispenser 5 and are difficult to withdraw out. Further, positioning projections 4C are formed on outside surfaces of the posts 41 of the water separator 4 to correspond to positioning recesses 5C formed the water dispenser 5, which will be described hereinafter for purposes of temporary positioning and preventing undesired rotation between the water separator 4 and the water dispenser 5 and also achieving accurate positioning for needle-like spray and bubbling spray. On the undersurface of the disk of the water separator 4, a reduced neck portion is formed for being received in and positioned on an upper end of the water dispenser 5 for connection therebetween. As show shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, two adjacent discharge holes 4A is formed in each individual energy accumulation pool 4D of the water separator 4 to define a water jet. Such a combination helps form a negative area of an even larger range. The above two points allow air and water to be sufficiently mixed to generate a large amount of bubbling spray so that the spray is more compliant and fuller. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 5C, an elongate discharge hole 4A is formed in each individual energy accumulation pool 4D of the water separator 4 and this similarly provides a negative area of a larger range.

Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, the water dispenser 5 comprises a sleeve having an internal chamber that is provided, in a circumferential portion thereof, with uniformly distributed needle-like water channels 5A respectively corresponding to the discharge holes 4A of the water separator 4. Formed in a lower end of the water dispenser 5 to correspond to the needle-like water channels 5A are needle-like water discharge holes 5G. The needle-like water channels 5A are each arranged to reduce from a large-sized upper end toward a small-sized lower end. Bubbling water passages 5B are formed between the needle-like water channels 5A. A central portion surrounded by the needle-like water channels 5A defines a bubbling water channel 5D. Further, a portion of the water dispenser 5 located under the bubbling water channel 5D forms discharge holes 5E, which mates the water dispensing net 6 that comprise grid-like discharge holes, or alternatively, grid-like discharge holes can be directly formed on the discharge holes 5E. Upper inside surfaces of the needle-like water channels 5A are connected to each other by an inner circumferential wall 5F and the inner circumferential wall 5F comprise positioning recess 5C formed on an inner side thereof. The barbs 4E of the posts 41 of the water dispenser 4 engage a lower end of the inner circumferential wall 5F. Further, the needle-like water channels 5A of the water dispenser 5 has a minimum water discharge cross-sectional area that is greater than a minimum water discharge cross-sectional area of the discharge holes 4A of the water separator 4. Further, a ring pad 51 53 that mates an outer circumference of the bottom of the water separator 4 is arranged between the water dispenser 5 and the water separator 4 to ensure water flows of the bubbling water passage 5B can be better converged in the bubbling water channel 5D. The arrangement of the water dispenser 5 provides the aerator with two types of sprays including needle-like spray and bubbling spray.

To assemble, the water separator 4 is provided along an outer circumference thereof with the formation of a flange 42, which cooperates with a retention step 21 formed in an inside circumference of the housing 2 to achieve combination of the inner core assembly with the housing 2 in such a way that a clearance fitting is formed between the water dispenser 5 and the housing 2. A maximum outside diameter of the entire inner core assembly is smaller than the inner diameter of the thread of the housing 2 to allow the water dispenser 5 to directly fit into the housing 2 of the aerator. After fit into the housing 2, the water dispenser 5 has a portion extending outside the housing 2, whereby the portion extending outside the housing 2 allows for hand gripping for rotation to achieve switching between two spraying functions of needle-like spray and bubbling spray.

As shown in FIG. 7, to enhance the outside appearance of the entirety of the aerator, a the decoration ring 51 having an outside diameter matching the housing 2 is fit over the portion of the water dispenser 5 that extends outside the housing 2.

Flow channels of the water separator 4, the water dispenser 5, and the water dispensing net 6 are in communication with each other and no sealing structure is needed to allow easy entry of air into the flow channels to form bubbling spray. Thus, the two spraying functions of the aerator of the present invention is switchable through rotation and during the use and the process of switching, the needle-like water channels 5A and the bubbling water channel 5D of the water dispenser 5 are in communication with the external atmosphere and no sealing structure is necessary among them.

The operation of the present invention is as follows. Water flows through and is subjected to control by the flow control assembly 3 and then enters the water separator 4. The water then gets into the energy accumulation pool 4D of the water separator 4 for pressure regulation and is then jetted through the discharge holes 4A that are uniformly distributed in the water separator 4.

As shown in FIG. 4B 4C, in case of being manually switched to needle-like spraying condition, the discharge holes 4A of the water separator 4 are in alignment with the needle-like water channels 5A of the water dispenser. Since the minimum water discharge cross-sectional area of the needle-like water channels 5A of the water dispenser 5 is greater than the minimum water discharge cross-sectional area of the discharge holes 4A of the water separator 4, water flows jetted through the discharge holes 4A of the water separator 4 move along the angles of the needle-like water channels 5A of the water dispenser to be jetted through the needle-like water discharge holes 5G, not overflowing to the large-sized ends of the needle-like water channels 5A of the water dispenser 5. This helps eliminates the sealing requirement for the needle-like water channels 5A and other communicating spaces.

As shown in FIG. 4C 4B, in case of manually switching to the bubbling spraying condition, the water dispenser 5 is rotated in such a way that the discharge holes 4A of the water separator 4 are set in alignment with the bubbling water passages 5B of the water dispenser 5, whereby water flows through the bubbling water passages 5B into the bubbling water channel 5D, wherein under such a condition, air is allowed to move from outside of the water separator 4 and the needle-like water discharge holes 5G into the negative area so that air can be sufficiently mixed with the fast water flows through the discharge holes 4A of the water separator 4 to achieve the formation of bubbling spray. The bubbling spray flows through the water dispensing net 6 and is shaped thereby to form full and smooth cylinder like bubbling spray.

In summary, the present invention comprises needle-like water channels 5A and a bubbling water channel 5D that are arranged in the water dispenser 5 to be alignable with the discharge holes 4A of the water separator 4 and in communication with the outside atmosphere and achieves switching through rotation by means of a water separator 4 and a water dispenser 5 that are rotatable with respect to each other so as to achieve selective switching between needle-like spray and bubbling spray. The rotation switching helps extend the service life of a product. The housing 2 is combinable with a faucet, a spraying gun, a pull-out sprinkler, and a bidet, having excellent commonality and simplified structure. The arrangement of a flow control assembly 3 helps provide similar spraying effect for water spray with both low pressure and high pressure and achieve energy saving and environmental conservation.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above.

While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claim, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. An aerator with dual spraying functions, characterized by comprising a housing, a flow control assembly, a water separator, and a water dispenser, wherein the flow control assembly and the water separator are combined together and the water separator and the water dispenser are rotatably connected together, the water dispenser having a lower portion to which a water dispensing net is mounted; the flow control assembly, the water separator, and the water dispenser are combined with the housing to be coupled, via a sealing gasket, to a water discharge device, the water dispenser being arranged to partially extend outside the housing; the water separator comprises a T-shaped disk having a disk surface in which discharge holes are formed in an equally spaced manner in an area adjacent to a circumference of the disk, each of the discharge holes having an upper end, where an energy accumulation pool is formed; and the water dispenser comprises a sleeve having an internal chamber that is provided, in a circumferential portion thereof, with uniformly distributed needle-like water channels respectively corresponding to the discharge holes of the water separator, needle-like water discharge holes being formed in a lower end of the water dispenser to correspond to the needle-like water channels, bubbling water passages being formed between the needle-like water channels, a central portion surrounded by the needle-like water channels defining a bubbling water channel, grid-like discharge holes being mounted to discharge holes at a lower end of the bubbling water channel.

2. The aerator with dual spraying functions according to claim 1, characterized in that the water dispensing net that comprises grid-like discharge holes is mounted to the discharge holes of a lower end of the water dispenser.

3. The aerator with dual spraying functions according to claim 1, characterized in that the flow control assembly comprises a top lid, an elastic body, and a bottom base, wherein the elastic body has a circumference from which at least two pawls extend downward, the top lid covering atop the bottom base with the elastic body interposed between the bottom base and the top lid, the top lid comprising through apertures formed therein, the bottom base having a non-central portion on which at least one raised peg is formed.

4. The aerator with dual spraying functions according to claim 1, characterized in that two adjacent discharge holes are formed in each individual energy accumulation pool of the water separator to define a water jet.

5. The aerator with dual spraying functions according to claim 1, characterized in that an elongate discharge hole is formed in each individual energy accumulation pool of the water separator.

6. The aerator with dual spraying functions according to claim 1, characterized in that upper inside surfaces of the needle-like water channels are connected to each other by an inner circumferential wall, inner circumferential wall comprising positioning recesses formed on an inner side thereof.

7. The aerator with dual spraying functions according to claim 1, characterized in that the water separator has a central portion on an underside of which posts that comprise resilient cutoffs and barbs are formed and positioning projections are formed on outside surfaces of the posts.

8. The aerator with dual spraying functions according to claim 7, characterized in that two adjacent discharge holes are formed in each individual energy accumulation pool of the water separator to define a water jet.

9. The aerator with dual spraying functions according to claim 7, characterized in that an elongate discharge hole is formed in each individual energy accumulation pool of the water separator.

10. The aerator with dual spraying functions according to claim 7, characterized in that upper inside surfaces of the needle-like water channels are connected to each other by an inner circumferential wall, inner circumferential wall comprising positioning recesses formed on an inner side thereof.

11. The aerator with dual spraying functions according to claim 1, characterized in that the needle-like water channels of the water dispenser are arranged to reduce from a large-sized upper end toward a small-sized lower end.

12. The aerator with dual spraying functions according to claim 11, characterized in that upper inside surfaces of the needle-like water channels are connected to each other by an inner circumferential wall, inner circumferential wall comprising positioning recesses formed on an inner side thereof.

13. The aerator with dual spraying functions according to claim 1, characterized in that the needle-like water channels of the water dispenser has a minimum water discharge cross-sectional area that is greater than a minimum water discharge cross-sectional area of the discharge holes of the water separator.

14. The aerator with dual spraying functions according to claim 1, characterized in that a ring pad that mates an outer circumference of the bottom of the water separator is arranged between the water dispenser and the water separator.

15. The aerator with dual spraying functions according to claim 1, characterized in that the water dispenser that partially extends outside the housing comprises a decoration ring fit thereto.

16. An aerator with dual spraying functions, comprising a water separator, and a water dispenser, wherein the water separator and the water dispenser are rotatably connected together; first discharge holes are distributed on the water separator; needle-like water channels are uniformly distributed on the water dispenser to correspond to the first discharge holes on the water separator; second discharge holes are formed in a lower end of the water dispenser to correspond to the needle-like water channels; bubbling water passages are formed between the needle-like water channels; a central portion surrounded by the needle-like water channels defines a bubbling water channel; the needle-like water channels, the bubbling water passages and the bubbling water channel communicate with one another and communicate with the external atmosphere,

wherein the water dispenser is a T-shaped disc.

17. The aerator with dual spraying functions according to claim 16, also comprising a flow control assembly, the flow control assembly being matched together with the water separator.

18. The aerator with dual spraying functions according to claim 17, also comprising a housing, wherein the flow control assembly, the water separator and the water dispenser are assembled with the housing, and then are matched with a water dispensing device through a sealing gasket.

19. The aerator with dual spraying functions according to claim 18, wherein the water dispenser extends out of the housing, and the water dispenser portion that partially extends outside the housing comprises a decoration ring fit thereto.

20. The aerator with dual spraying functions according to claim 17, wherein the flow control assembly comprises a top lid, an elastic body, and a bottom base, wherein the elastic body has a circumference from which at least two pawls extend downward, the top lid covering atop the bottom base with the elastic body interposed between the bottom base and the top lid, the top lid comprising through apertures formed therein, the bottom base having a non-central portion on which at least one raised peg is formed.

21. The aerator with dual spraying functions according to claim 16, further comprising a water dispensing net, wherein the water dispensing net is mounted at the lower part of the water dispenser.

22. The aerator with dual spraying functions according to claim 16, wherein the first discharge holes are arranged in groups in which the first discharge holes are adjacent to each other, and energy accumulation pools are respectively formed at an upper end of each group of the first discharge holes.

23. The aerator with dual spraying functions according to claim 22, wherein two adjacent first discharge holes are formed to form a water column in each individual energy accumulation pool of the water separator.

24. The aerator with dual spraying functions according to claim 22, wherein energy accumulation pools are respectively formed at the upper end of each first discharge hole, and each first discharge hole is an elongate discharge hole.

25. The aerator with dual spraying functions according to claim 16, wherein fourth grid-like discharge holes are formed at positions of third discharge holes of a lower end of each bubbling water passage.

26. The aerator with dual spraying functions according to claim 16, further comprising:

a water dispensing net comprising fourth grid-like discharge holes and is mounted to third discharge holes at a lower end of each bubbling passage.

27. The aerator with dual spraying functions according to claim 16, wherein the water separator has a central portion on an underside of which posts that comprise resilient cutoffs and barbs are formed and positioning projections are formed on outside surfaces of the posts.

28. The aerator with dual spraying functions according to claim 16, wherein the needle-like water channels of the water dispenser are arranged to reduce from a large-sized upper end toward a small-sized lower end.

29. The aerator with dual spraying functions according to claim 16, wherein the upper inside surfaces of the needle-like water channels are connected to each other by an inner circumferential wall, the inner circumferential wall comprising positioning recesses formed on an inner side thereof.

30. The aerator with dual spraying functions according to claim 16, wherein the needle-like water channels of the water dispenser have a minimum water discharge cross-sectional area that is greater than a minimum water discharge cross-sectional area of the first discharge holes of the water separator.

31. The aerator with dual spraying functions according to claim 16, wherein a ring pad that mates an outer circumference of the bottom of the water separator is arranged between the water dispenser and the water separator.

32. The aerator with dual spraying functions according to claim 16, wherein the first discharge holes are distributed on the water separator at an equal interval, and the needle-like water channels are distributed on the water dispenser at an equal interval to correspond to the first discharge holes.

33. The aerator with dual spraying functions according to claim 16, wherein the water dispenser is a post sleeve.