초록 ▼

A motorized shower water diverter valve for a handheld shower is connected to a shower water inlet pipe in lieu of a conventional showerhead. A conventional showerhead is then connected to one of two valve outlets and a hose for the handheld shower is connected to the other valve outlet. The valve m

A motorized shower water diverter valve for a handheld shower is connected to a shower water inlet pipe in lieu of a conventional showerhead. A conventional showerhead is then connected to one of two valve outlets and a hose for the handheld shower is connected to the other valve outlet. The valve may be constructed as a rotary or linear type. A motor output shaft is coupled to a gear assembly to either rotate a valve core of a rotary valve or laterally displace the core of a linear valve. The gear assembly may include a slip clutch. There is also provided a control circuit for operating the motor, a wireless remote control and a sensor for enabling the control circuit to detect the position of the valve core.

대표청구항 ▼

Having thus described the invention, there is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent: 1. A motorized shower diverter system for controlling water flow between a water supply elbow and a fixed showerhead or an alternate shower, the system comprising a diverter valve having a valv

Having thus described the invention, there is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent: 1. A motorized shower diverter system for controlling water flow between a water supply elbow and a fixed showerhead or an alternate shower, the system comprising a diverter valve having a valve housing, the valve housing including an inlet for coupling to the water supply elbow, a first outlet for coupling to the fixed showerhead and a second outlet for coupling to the alternate shower, the diverter valve having a core movable within the housing from a first position, wherein a water flow path is provided between the inlet and the first outlet and a second position, wherein a water flow path is provided between the inlet and the second outlet, the system further including a motor having an output shaft and a gear assembly operatively connected to the output shaft and to the valve core for moving the valve core between the first position and the second position. 2. A motorized shower diverter system as constructed in accordance with claim 1 further including a wireless remote control operatively connected to the motor. 3. A motorized shower diverter system as constructed in accordance with claim 2 wherein the wireless remote control includes a first command switch for generating a command signal for providing a water flow path between the inlet and the first outlet, a second command switch for generating a command signal for providing a water flow path between the inlet and the second outlet and a panic switch for generating an audible distress signal. 4. A method of controlling water flow between a fixed showerhead and a handheld shower employing a motorized shower diverter system constructed in accordance with claim 2 wherein the wireless remote control includes a first command switch for generating a command signal for providing a water flow path between the inlet and the first outlet and a second command switch for generating a command signal for providing a water flow path between the inlet and the second outlet, the method comprising the steps of: a) connecting a showerhead to the first outlet, b) connecting a hose of the handheld shower to the second outlet, and c) actuating a command switch corresponding to a desired water flow path. 5. A motorized shower diverter system as constructed in accordance with claim 1 further including a control circuit, the control circuit comprising a micro-controller, the micro-controller being operatively connected to the motor for controlling rotation of the motor output shaft. 6. A motorized shower diverter system as constructed in accordance with claim 5 further including at least one actuator which moves with the core and at least one sensor fixed with respect to the core, the at least one sensor being selectively engaged by the at least one the actuator, the at least one sensor being operatively connected to the micro-controller, whereby the micro-controller determines the position of the movable core. 7. A motorized shower diverter system as constructed in accordance with claim 6 further including a plurality of actuators which move with the core and which selectively engage the at least one sensor. 8. A motorized shower diverter system as constructed in accordance with claim 6 further including a wireless remote control, the control circuit including at least one receiver for receiving command signals transmitted by the remote control, the at least one receiver being operatively connected to the micro-controller, the micro-controller receiving a command signal from the at least one receiver and in response thereto, actuating the motor to move the valve core to a position corresponding to that of the command signal. 9. A motorized shower diverter system as constructed in accordance with claim 8 wherein the motor comprises a stepper motor, and the micro-controller actuates the motor for a predetermined number of steps. 10. A motorized shower diverter system as constructed in accordance with claim 1 further including a link interconnecting the gear assembly and the valve core, the link comprising a driver coupling, the driver coupling being driven by the gear assembly and a core coupling, the core coupling being fixed to the valve core, the driver coupling engaging the core coupling for rotation about a common axis. 11. A motorized shower diverter system as constructed in accordance with claim 10 wherein the link comprises a spider link. 12. A motorized shower diverter system as constructed in accordance with claim 1 wherein the diverter valve includes a core movement limit stop and the gear assembly including a slip clutch, whereby the motor may continue to operate without damage after the core has engaged the limit stop. 13. A motorized shower diverter system as constructed in accordance with claim 1 wherein the valve core is movable within the housing to a third position, wherein a water flow path is provided between the inlet, the first outlet and the second outlet. 14. A motorized shower diverter system as constructed in accordance with claim 13 wherein the command signal source comprises a keypad. 15. A motorized shower diverter system for controlling water flow between a water supply elbow and a fixed showerhead or an alternate shower, the system comprising a diverter valve having a valve housing, the valve housing including an inlet for coupling to the water supply elbow, a first outlet for coupling to the fixed showerhead and a second outlet for coupling to the alternate shower, the diverter valve having a core movable within the housing from a first position, wherein a water flow path is provided between the inlet and the first outlet and a second position, wherein a water flow path is provided between the inlet and the second outlet, the system further including a motor operatively connected to the valve core for moving the valve core between the first position and the second position, a wireless remote control for transmitting a command signal indicative of a desired water flow path and a control circuit, the control circuit receiving the command signal and in response thereto, driving the motor to move the valve core to a position corresponding with the desired water flow path. 16. A motorized shower diverter system as constructed in accordance with claim 15 further including at least one actuator which moves with the core and at least one sensor fixed with respect to the core, the at least one sensor being selectively engaged by the at least one, actuator, the at least one sensor being operatively connected to the control circuit for determining the position of the core. 17. A motorized shower diverter system as constructed in accordance with claim 15 wherein the diverter valve includes a core movement limit stop, the system including a slip clutch positioned intermediate the motor and the valve core, whereby the motor may continue to operate without damage after the core has engaged the limit stop. 18. A motorized shower diverter system for controlling water flow between a water supply elbow and a fixed showerhead or an alternate shower, the system comprising a diverter valve having a valve housing, the valve housing including an inlet for coupling to the water supply elbow, a first outlet for coupling to the fixed showerhead and a second outlet for coupling to the alternate shower, the diverter valve having a core movable within the housing from a first position, wherein a water flow path is provided between the inlet and the first outlet and a second position, wherein a water flow path is provided between the inlet and the second outlet, the system further including a motor operatively connected to the valve core for moving the valve core between the first position and the second position, a programmable micro-controller, a sensor for sensing the position of the valve core and a command signal source for generating a command signal indicative of a desired water flow path, the sensor and the command signal source being operatively connected to the micro-controller, the micro-controller receiving a sensor signal and in response thereto, ascertaining the position of the valve core, the micro-controller receiving the command signal and in response thereto, driving the motor to move the valve core to a position corresponding with the desired water flow path. 19. A motorized shower diverter system as constructed in accordance with claim 18 wherein then command signal source comprises a wireless transmitter. 20. A motorized shower diverter system as constructed in accordance with claim 19 wherein the wireless transmitter includes a panic switch for generating an audible distress signal.