公开(公告)号：US20040032749A1

公开(公告)日：2004-02-19

申请号：US10064772

申请日：2002-08-15

Applicant: GELcore, LLC

Inventor： Robert J. Schindler ,  Srianath K. Aanegola ,  Greg E. Burkholder ,  Frank P. Dornauer ,  Mitchell J. Hart ,  Kerry D. Moore ,  James T. Petroski ,  Tomislav J. Stimac

IPC: F21V033/00

CPC classification number: F21V33/004 ,  E03C1/0412 ,  E03C2001/0418 ,  F21V23/0442 ,  F21Y2115/10

Abstract: A showerhead (802, 804) or faucet (12, 602, 702) includes a water outlet (16, 606, 706, 802) for emitting a water flow (22, 610, 710) and a handle (18, 20, 604, 704, 830) for controlling the water flow (22, 610, 770). At least one LED (42, 242, 342, 442, 542, 544, 546, 624, 658, 730, 810) is arranged on or in the showerhead (802, 804) or faucet (12, 602, 702) and viewable by an associated user thereof. A light-transmissive encapsulant (630, 660, 732) seals the at least one LED (42, 242, 342, 442, 542, 544, 546, 624, 658, 730, 810) and transmits light produced by the at least one LED (42, 242, 342, 442, 542, 544, 546, 624, 658, 730, 810) to the associated user. A controller (550) produces a controller output for controlling the LED light emission responsive to at least one of a water flow rate, a water flow temperature, an ambient light level, and a position of the handle (18, 20, 604, 704, 830). The at least one LED (42, 242, 342, 442, 542, 544, 546, 624, 658, 730, 810) is can be arranged on a printed circuit board (626, 656) and electrically powered via conductive traces thereon, in which case the light-transmissive encapsulant (630, 660, 732) seals the LED source and the conductive traces.