Adjustable Shower Bar Supply Assembly for Varying Wall Thickness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shower systems lack flexibility and adaptability in accommodating varying water supply pipe positions and wall thicknesses, leading to installation challenges and potential damage to the water supply pipe during mounting.
Innovation Solution
A shower system design featuring an adjustable supply assembly with a sliding adapter and o-ring seal, a transfer valve assembly with a pivotable valve member, and an angled hose connector, allowing for flexible positioning and reduced stress on the water supply pipe, along with a tube-in-tube shower bar design for easy installation and material flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed shower bar system is used, then the structure is simple and reliable, but it cannot accommodate varying wall thicknesses and supply pipe positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a sliding supply member within an adapter assembly that allows dynamic adjustment of the distance between the pipe outlet and supply outlet. This dynamic mechanism enables the system to adapt to different wall thicknesses and supply pipe positions while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The shower bar system is divided into separate functional components including the adapter assembly with sliding supply member, the shower bar, and the shower member. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while providing overall adaptability through the adjustable adapter assembly.
2Reliability
If the supply assembly is rigidly mounted, then the installation is straightforward, but it may damage the water supply pipe
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding supply member allows the system to dynamically adjust to different installation conditions without requiring forceful mounting. This reduces stress on the water supply pipe during installation while maintaining reliable sealed connections through the o-ring seal that moves with the supply member.
Solution Approach 2:
The o-ring seal positioned between the adapter and supply member provides a cushioning effect that protects against stress concentration during installation. The seal accommodates minor misalignments and reduces the risk of damage to the water supply pipe while ensuring reliable fluid connection.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the shower bar system is fixed in position, then the structure is stable, but it lacks flexibility for user positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides positioning flexibility through the sliding supply member that can be adjusted to different positions along the adapter. Once positioned, the o-ring seal maintains a stable sealed connection, thus achieving both user-adjustable positioning flexibility and structural stability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a complex adjustment mechanism is added to accommodate varying installations, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism uses a simple sliding motion of the supply member within the adapter, guided by the o-ring seal. This dynamic but simple mechanism accommodates varying installation conditions without requiring complex adjustment components, maintaining ease of manufacture and installation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables easy installation in showers with varying wall thicknesses and supply pipe positions, minimizes risk of damaging the water supply pipe, and provides a convenient and adaptable handshower system with reduced interference with the shower on/off valve.
Implementation Method 1
a seal positioned and operable to provide a sealed connection between the adapter and the supply member in adjusted positions the supply member relative to the adapter
Data Source
AI summary
A shower system, a handshower system and a transfer valve assembly. The system may include an adjustable supply assembly fluidly connectable to the water supply pipe, the supply assembly including an adapter defining an axis and having an inlet coupleable to the pipe outlet, a supply member having a supply outlet and coupled in fluid communication with the adapter, the supply member being coupled to the adapter for movement along the axis to adjust a distance between the pipe outlet and the supply outlet, and a seal positioned and operable to provide a sealed connection between the adapter and the supply member in adjusted positions of the supply member relative to the adapter.