"Water plug with cartridge"

[0001] This invention relates to a water plug for a dispensing device, for example for a shower head or a bidet shower, for a dispenser for sink and the like, and suitable to generate a sound, light, olfactory or other kind of effect perceptible by a user.

[0002] In the following description, such effect produced by the cartridge will also be defined in general as a "secondary effect" to distinguish it from the primary effect of dispensing a jet of water.

[0003] Devices are already known that dispense a jet of water, in particular of shower heads and faucets, provided with light sources suitable to emit a light effect while dispensing a jet of water. In a widespread embodiment, the light sources, for example of the LED type, are powered by an electric battery, also housed in the body of the dispensing device.

[0004] In addition, devices are already known that dispense a jet of water, in particular of shower heads, provided with speaker for listening to music while showering. In a widespread embodiment, the speaker is powered by an electric battery, also housed in the body of the dispensing device. Examples of this technical solution are described in WO2013 /036631 and in EP1686770A1. [0005] A drawback of supplying electricity with a battery lies in the fact that its replacement or recharging, when discharged, is by no means easy, in particular in the case of a shower head by virtue of its positioning at a certain height from the ground.

[0006] Document US5140254 describes a shower head of a shower provided with a speaker and a turbine generator capable of generating the electricity necessary for the operation of the speaker when a water flow hits the generator. Such a technical solution solves the problem of replacing or recharging the batteries. However, the structure, the shape and size of the dispensing device are heavily affected by the presence of the turbine generator, due to which such a device has had a poor reception from the market.

[0007] In addition, devices are known for dispensing a jet of water provided with light sources powered by the domestic electric network through a power supply cable. This solution solves the problem of replacing or recharging the batteries, but considerably complicates the structure and installation of the dispensing device since it is necessary to provide the watertight space for the passage of electrical cables and associated connecting elements. Moreover, in case of failure of the electrical part, it is difficult to identify where such a fault has occurred and if necessary repair it.

[0008] The purpose of this invention is to propose a water plug provided with at least one electronic device suitable to generate a secondary effect perceptible by a user and powered by a generator driven by the water flow, so as to allow the simple application of a secondary effect to any existing dispensing device.

[0009] This purpose is achieved through the use of a water plug according to claim 1. The dependent claims describe preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0010] According to the claim, a water plug 60 for a dispensing device (for example for a shower head or a bidet shower) , comprises a first water connection element 206 to a water supply pipe, a device body 201, and a second water connection element 202 fluidically connected with said first water connection element and defining at least one supply passage 214 of the dispensing device. In this body, a cartridge seat 222 is formed, which communicates with the first 206 and the second 202 water connection element and accommodates at least one cartridge 100, 1000. The latter includes a cartridge body 101, which defines a first 20 and a second 22 compartment, said second compartment being separated from said first compartment by a watertight separation septum 24, an inlet opening 16 being formed in the cartridge body for the entry of a flow of water inside the first compartment 20, and at least one outlet opening 18 open towards the outside for the outflow of the water flow from the first compartment 20, a current generator 1, housed in the first compartment 20 and suitable to be actuated by a flow of water that passes through said first compartment from the inlet opening to the outlet opening, and at least one electronic device 11, 1002 housed in the second compartment 22 and suitable to generate a secondary effect perceptible by a user, such electronic device being electrically powered by the current generator, the second compartment 22 being separated from the external environment by a separation element 13, 1004 suitable to allow the transmission of the secondary effect to the outside.

[0011] In an embodiment, the cartridge 100, 1000 is accommodated in the cartridge seat 222 in a releasable manner .

[0012] In an embodiment, at least one between the first 206 and/or second 202 water connection element comprises a hollow fitting, threaded on the inside or, preferably, the outside, for the connection of the supply pipe and/or a dispensing device of a jet of water, for example through a hose or pipe.

[0013] In an embodiment, the supply passage 214, an inlet passage 216 identified by the first water connection element 206 and a cartridge axis X (specifically: an axis X along which the aforesaid cartridge extends) extend at least partly along mutually incident directions Pi, P2, X .

[0014] More precisely, the directions Pi, P2 of the supply passage 214 and the inlet passage 216 are substantially orthogonal to each other.

[0015] In an embodiment, the device body 201 defines an abutment plane R with a support surface (for example a wall in contact with said plane) , and defines a secondary surface 218 through which the secondary effect is transmitted to the exterior, said secondary surface 218 being oriented in a manner incident to said plane R so that the secondary effect is spread away from the latter.

[0016] In an embodiment, the electronic device comprises a light source 11, the second compartment 22 being closed by an optical element 13 suitable to allow the emission of a light beam produced by the light source.

[0017] In an embodiment, the electronic device comprises a speaker 1002, the second compartment 22 communicating with the exterior through a perforated plate 1004 suitable to allow the emission of sound from the speaker.

[0018] In an embodiment, water outlet opening 18 is directed radially with respect to a cartridge axis X , where the inlet opening 16 and the separation element 13, 1004 are provided at opposite ends of the cartridge body.

[0019] In an embodiment, the current generator 1 is inserted in a generator housing 7 provided with inlet passages 17 for the flow of water coming from the inlet opening, and outlet passages in fluidic communication with the outlet opening 18.

[0020] In an embodiment, the light source 11 comprises a plurality of LED point sources mounted on an electronic board 11 ' .

[0021] In an embodiment, the second compartment houses a buffer battery 8, 1008 to power the electronic device 11, 1002.

[0022] In an embodiment, a plurality of apertures 12' are formed in the lower side of the separation element 13, 1004, suitable to be engaged by the teeth of a tool usable to screw/unscrew the cartridge to/from the water plug 60.

[0023] According to various embodiments, the secondary effect comprises a light effect, a sound effect, an olfactory effect, a massaging effect and a treatment effect of the user with ultraviolet light.

[0024] Further characteristics and advantages of the water plug incorporating a cartridge will, in any case, be evident from the following description of its preferred embodiments, provided by way of a non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

[0025] - Figures 1 and la are perspective views, respectively from below and above, of a cartridge in a first embodiment suitable for creating light effects;

[0026] - Figure 2 is a cross-section of the cartridge of Figures 1 and la;

[0027] - Figures 3 and 3a are perspective views, respectively from below and above, of a cartridge in a second embodiment, suitable for creating sound effects;

[0028] - Figure 4 is a cross-section of the cartridge of Figures 3 and 3 a ;

[0029] - Figures 5, 6 and 7 respectively illustrate a perspective view from below, a side view and a rear view of a water plug housing the aforesaid cartridge;

[0030] - Figure 8 shows a section of the water plug of Figure 7, along the plane VIII-VIII indicated in such figure .

[0031] In said drawings, the reference numbers 100, 1000 indicate, as a whole, a cartridge according to the invention in two embodiments. In a first embodiment, the cartridge 100 is suitable to generate light effects; in a second embodiment, the cartridge 1000 is suitable to generate sound effects and can be defined a speaker cartridge. As it will be described below, apart from the different electronic devices they contain, the two cartridges are identical to each other and therefore perfectly interchangeable. The elements common to the two embodiments of the cartridge will thus be indicated with the same reference numbers .

[0032] As will be better explained below, the cartridge is suitable to be inserted in the body of a water plug 60 .

[0033] In the following description, the terms "upper" and "lower" will refer to the cartridge oriented vertically, as in the drawings, and correspondingly to its preferred configuration for use in a water plug, with the electronic device facing down so to emit the light or sound effect in that same direction.

[0034] Figures 1 , la and 2 show a cartridge 100 provided with a light source. In the continuation of the description, the term "light source" will be used to indicate both a single light source and a plurality of point light sources, for example of the LED type, activatable simultaneously, individually or in blocks according to a control program suitable to generate one or more desired light effects.

[0035] The cartridge 100 includes a cartridge body 101 defining a first compartment 20 and a second compartment 22 . The second compartment 22 is separated from said first compartment 20 by a watertight separation septum 24. In the cartridge body 101 is formed an inlet opening 16, for the entry of a flow of water inside the first compartment 20, and at least one outlet opening 18 open to the outside for the outflow of the water flow from the first compartment 20. For example, the inlet opening 16 is formed in the upper end of the cartridge body 101, while a plurality of outlet openings 18 are formed at an intermediate portion of the cartridge body 101.

[0036] The first compartment 20 houses a current generator 1 suitable to be actuated by a flow of water passing through this first compartment 20 from the inlet opening 16 to the outlet opening 18. For example, the current generator 1 is a turbine generator. The flow of water entering the first compartment 20 actuates the blades 1' of the turbine, which command a dynamo 1" that generates electrical current.

[0037] The second compartment 22 houses the light source 11. In a preferred embodiment, said light source 11 comprises a plurality of LED point sources mounted on an electronic board 11'. The light source 11 is electrically powered by the current generator 1. The second compartment 22 is closed at the bottom by an optical element 13, for example of truncated-conical shape, suitable to allow the emission of a light beam emitted from the light source 11. [0038] In a preferred embodiment, the cartridge body 101 has a parallelepiped shape, preferably substantially cylindrical. The first compartment 20 is superimposed on the second compartment 22 along a cartridge axis X. The inlet opening 16 and the optical element 13 are formed at opposite ends of the cartridge body 101. The outlet openings 18 are in the form of radial slits, distributed around said axis X of the cartridge, for example at an intermediate height between the opposite ends of the cartridge body 101 along the cartridge axis X.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment, the current generator 1 is inserted in a generator housing 7. Said generator housing 7 is housed watertight in the first compartment 20. Between the walls of the first compartment 20 and the outer walls of the generator housing 7 there is thus defined an inlet chamber 20', for example of annular shape. In said generator housing 7, there are inlet passages 17 for the flow of water coming from the inlet opening 16, and outlet passages in fluidic communication with the outlet openings 18.

[0040] In an embodiment, in which the rotation axis of the turbine 1' is coaxial with the axis X of the cartridge, said inlet passages 17 are formed in the lateral wall of the generator housing 7 and are configured as vertical or inclined slits suitable to push the flow of water in the inlet chamber 20' to the inside the generator housing 7 in a tangential direction with respect to the blades of the turbine 1 ' .

[0041] In an embodiment, the generator housing 7 rests on an annular base 6, for example resting directly on the separation septum 24. Outlet channels 6' are formed in said annular base 6, that put the outlet passages in fluidic communication with the outlet openings 18.

[0042] Turning now to the portion of the cartridge related to the light source, in a preferred embodiment, in the second compartment 22 is housed an optical element support 9, preferably of cylindrical shape, fixed, for example by means of screws 8 hidden by respective caps 8', to the cartridge body 101, preferably to the separation septum 24. To said optical support element 9 is connected, for example by means of screws, a lower cover 12 of annular shape. The optical element 13, in an embodiment comprising a transparent disc, occupies the axial opening defined by the lower cover 12. In an embodiment, this optical element 13 is provided with a radial shelf 13 ' retained between the optical element support 9 and the lower cover 12.

[0043] In an embodiment, the optical element 13 defines a board seat 13" in which the electronic board 11' is housed. [0044] In a preferred embodiment, in the lower side of the lower cover 12 a plurality of apertures 12 ' are formed, for example distributed along a circumference, which are engaged by the teeth of a tool usable to screw/unscrew the cartridge 100 to/from the water plug 52, as it will be described below.

[0045] In an embodiment, the light source 11 is powered by the current generator through an electric cable 19.

[0046] In an embodiment, in the second compartment 22 is also housed a buffer battery - not shown - to power the light source 11. Said buffer battery is for example mounted on the electronic board 11 ' . The buffer battery is suitable to power the light source 11 even when the water flow is interrupted, for example for a predetermined period of time.

[0047] In an embodiment, the electronic board 11' is connected to a temperature sensor - not shown - suitable to measure the temperature of the water dispensed so as to control point light sources to emit light beams with a colour dependent on the temperature of the water.

[0048] In a preferred embodiment, the inlet opening 16 of the water is formed in a threaded neck 30 for the connection of the cartridge 100 to the water plug 60, _. .as described below.

[0049] In addition, in the lateral wall of the cartridge body 101, between the upper end of the body bearing the inlet opening 16 and the outlet openings 18, a first seat 32 is formed that houses a first outer seal element 34, for example an 0-ring, suitable to cooperate with a wall of a cartridge seat formed in the water plug 60, as it will be described below.

[0050] Additionally, in the lateral wall of the cartridge body 101, in proximity of the lower end of the cartridge, there is formed a second seat 36 that houses a second outer seal element 38, for example an O-ring, suitable to cooperate with the device body 201 and, more precisely, with a wall of said body defining a secondary surface 218, as will be described below.

[0051] In the embodiment illustrated, the cartridge body 101 is made in two parts seal-coupled to each other. For example, the body is formed by a lower shell 3 which forms the second compartment 22, the separation septum and an intermediate portion in which the outlet openings 18 are formed. Said lower shell 3 terminates at the top with a tubular end portion 3 ' that partially forms the first compartment 20 and that has an outer surface configured for mating with an upper shell 2 that superiorly defines the first compartment 20. For example, in the lateral wall of the tubular end portion 3 ' is formed an undercut 3" suitable to be engaged, for example, with a snap-coupling method, by elastic teeth 2' formed in the lateral wall of the upper shell 2.

[0052] Between said upper 2 and lower 3 shells, a seal element 15, for example an O-ring, may be interposed.

Between the annular base 6 and the tubular end portion

3', a further seal element 4 may be interposed.

[0053] The speaker cartridge 1000 shown in Figures 3, 3a and 4 differs from the cartridge 100 for lighting effects only for the electronic device housed in the second compartment 22, in this case a speaker 1002, and for the separation element towards the outside.

[0054] The speaker 1002 is electrically powered by the current generator 1. The second compartment 22 communicates with the exterior through a perforated plate 1004 suitable to allow the emission of sound produced by the speaker .

[0055] In a preferred embodiment, in the second compartment 22 is housed an electronic board 1006 for driving the speaker. Said electronic board 1006 is provided with a receiver or, preferably, a transceiver of signals, suitable to communicate with a remote control unit - not shown - using a wireless data communication protocol, for example the "Bluetooth" protocol.

[0056] The electronic board 1006 is powered by the current generator, for example by means of an electric cable. [0057] In an advantageous embodiment, in the second compartment 22 is also housed a buffer battery 1008 to power the speaker 1002 (through the electronic board 1006) . Said buffer battery 1008 is for example mounted on the electronic board 1006. The buffer battery 1008 is suitable to power the speaker even when the water flow is interrupted, for example for a predetermined period of time .

[0058] In an embodiment, the speaker 1002 is inserted in a speaker housing 1010, a portion of which, for example upper, is formed from the membrane 1012 of the speaker 1002.

[0059] In an advantageous embodiment, the speaker cartridge 1000 also includes a microphone 1014, positioned for example on perforated plate 1004, connected to the electronic driver board 1006. Therefore, the speaker cartridge 1000 is also usable with telephone function.

[0060] In an advantageous embodiment, the speaker cartridge 1000 may further comprise one of more luminous signalling devices, arranged for example on the perforated plate 1004, connected to the electronic driver board 1006. Such signalling devices, such as by LED, may for example signal the operating state of the cartridge.

[0061] Advantageously, even the perforated plate 1004 is provided with a plurality of apertures 12 ' suitable to be engaged by the teeth 52 of a tool usable to screw/unscrew the speaker cartridge to/from the water plug 60 .

[0062] Figures 5 to 8 show an example of use of the speaker cartridge 1000 in the water plug 60 , the latter connectable to, for example, a shower head or bidet shower .

[0063] Although the speaker cartridge is shown in these variants, it is clear that such water plug may be used with any cartridge body according to the preceding variants, independently of the electronic device housed therein .

[0064] In a general embodiment, the water plug 60 comprises a first water connection element 206 to a water supply pipe, a device body 201 , and a second water connection element 202 fluidically connected with said first water connection element and defining at least one supply passage 214 of the dispensing device.

[0065] In the embodiment illustrated, at least one of the water connection elements 206 , 202 comprises a hollow fitting, threaded on the inside or on the outside, for the connection to the supply pipe and/or a dispensing device of a jet of water. For example, one or both of these connections may be made via a hose.

[0066] In the device body 201 is formed a cartridge seat 222 open toward the first water connection element 206 and in communication with the supply passage 214. In the cartridge seat 222 is housed one of the cartridges 100, 1000 described above (Figure 8) .

[0067] In an embodiment, said cartridge seat 222 includes a tubular casing, preferably of a shape corresponding to the shape of the cartridge body 101, thus for example substantially cylindrical or cup- or bell-shaped, which extends within the device body 201 between the water connection elements 206, 202. In correspondence of the cartridge seat 222, the bottom of the cartridge body 101 has a cartridge opening 215' engaged by the lower part of the cartridge, as well visible in Figure 5.

[0068] The cartridge seat 222 comprises a lateral wall 28, with which the first outer seal element 34 of the cartridge cooperates, so that all the water that comes from the first water connection element 206 is channelled into the inlet opening 16 of the cartridge.

[0069] Downstream of the outlet openings 18, the bottom of the cartridge seat 222 sealingly engages the cartridge body 101, so that all water that comes out of the outlet openings 18 of the cartridge 100 enters the supply passage 214 to flow out through the second water connection 202. For example, the cartridge opening 215' has an edge 215" cooperating with the second outer seal element 38 of the cartridge. [0070] In an embodiment, the lower end of the cartridge 100, 1000 lies slightly retracted or in undercut respect to the secondary surface 218 that circumscribes the cartridge opening 215'.

[0071] In a preferred embodiment, an upper portion of the cartridge seat 222, open towards the first water connection element 206, is delimited by a top wall 225 having an internally threaded cylindrical portion 226 in which the threaded neck 30 of the cartridge 100, 1000 is screwed. Therefore, to fix the cartridge 100, 1000 to the water plug 60 it is sufficient to insert the cartridge 100, 1000 in the cartridge seat 222 from below and screw the cartridge body 101 to said threaded cylindrical portion 226.

[0072] According to a non-illustrated embodiment, a tool may be further provided suitable to engage the lower side of the cartridge 100, 1000 to screw/unscrew the latter to/ from the water plug. In an embodiment, the tool has a crown of teeth suitable to engage the apertures 12 ' formed in the lower cover 12.

[0073] The operation of the dispensing device with cartridge is as follows.

[0074] The flow of water entering in the dispensing device through the first water connection element 206 is channelled into the inlet opening 16 of the cartridge. The water then enters the inlet chamber and from here, through the inlet passages 17 present on the turbine casing 7 , in the seat of the turbine, actuating it. The turbine 1 generates the current to power the electronic device housed in the second compartment 22 .

[0075] The flow of water, after having passed the generator 1 , exits the cartridge 100 , 1000 through the outlet openings 18 , downstream of the seal element 34 with the cartridge seat 222 . All the water therefore flows in the supply passage 214 and exits through the second water connection element 202 .

[0076] From there the water flow could be dispensed through one or more nozzles of the not shown dispensing device, connected to the second water connection element 202 through an intermediate duct, for example a hose.

[0077] The advantages of the invention are obvious .

[0078] First, the insertion of a cartridge for the generation of the secondary effect inside of a water plug, and not in a shower head, allows making the advantages of the invention available in any existing dispensing device through the mere connection to the water plug.

[0079] In addition to this, the integration of a current generator actuatable by the flow of water and of an electronic device inside of a cartridge has allowed optimising the overall dimensions and thus realising a particularly compact unit for generating a secondary effect. Although provided with a turbine generator, with the advantages deriving from it in terms of electrical autonomy and continuity of operation, such a compact cartridge does not significantly affect the shape and size of the water plug in which it is inserted.

[0080] In addition, such a cartridge is easily and quickly connectable to any water plug already assembled and prepared to accept it.

[0081] To the embodiments of the water plug and the cartridge according to the invention, a skilled person, to satisfy contingent requirements, may make modifications, adaptations and replacements of elements with others functionally equivalent, without departing from the scope of the following claims. Each of the characteristics described as belonging to a possible form of embodiment can be achieved independently from the other embodiments described.