Ball Joint Connector Venturi Aeration for Quiet, Leak-Free Showers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional showerheads with restricted flow rates lead to a perceived lack of forcefulness, and existing aerating systems either disrupt aesthetics, increase complexity, or result in water leakage and noise when integrated with ball joints.
Innovation Solution
A ball joint connector with a housing featuring a venturi passageway and a radially extending air inlet port, equipped with a check valve or sleeve insert to induce air into the water stream, reducing noise and preventing reverse flow, allowing for retrofitted aeration of existing showerheads without increasing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If flow rate is restricted for water conservation, then water savings are achieved, but the shower appears less forceful
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a venturi passage to create a pressure differential that draws air into the water stream. The venturi effect creates a low-pressure zone at the throat, causing ambient air to be suctioned through the radial inlet port. This pneumatic-hydraulic interaction aerates the water flow, making it appear more forceful and voluminous while maintaining restricted flow rates for water conservation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the water flow by introducing air bubbles through the venturi-induced pressure differential. This parameter change from pure water to aerated water mixture alters the flow characteristics, increasing apparent volume and forcefulness without increasing actual water consumption.
2Quantity of substance
If aeration system is integrated with showerhead or faucet spout, then aeration is achieved, but aesthetics are disrupted and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the aeration function from the showerhead assembly and relocates it to the ball joint connector. By removing the aeration mechanism (venturi passage and radial inlet port) from the showerhead and placing it in the separate ball joint component, the showerhead maintains its simple, clean aesthetic appearance while still achieving effective aeration through the ball joint's venturi effect.
3Quantity of substance
If air inlet port is an uncovered hole in water supply line, then air induction is achieved, but water leakage and noise occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a check valve as an intermediary component within the air inlet port. The check valve acts as a one-way flow control mechanism that allows air to enter through the radial inlet port while preventing water from leaking back out. This intermediary element eliminates the harmful effects of water leakage and associated noise while maintaining effective air induction for aeration.
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
The solution provides an aerated water stream without noise or water leakage, enabling the retrofitting of millions of existing showerheads with improved aeration while maintaining aesthetics and reducing manufacturing complexity at a standard cost.
Implementation Method 1
as water passes through a throat of the venturi, the water velocity increases and the pressure decreases. The resulting negative pressure draws in ambient air through the radial inlet.
Implementation Method 2
an insert positioned within the air inlet port (e.g. to provide one-way flow and/or to reduce noise). In preferred forms of the invention the insert is in the form of a check valve that permits air flow through the inlet port into the passageway, but restricts reverse flow from the passageway through the inlet port.
Implementation Method 3
Surprisingly it has been found that this type of check valve greatly reduces noise associated with the joint while still controlling reverse flow through the air inlet.
Data Source
AI summary
A ball joint connector is provided for linking a showerhead to a water supply pipe. The connector has an internal venturi that draws air into the connector to aerate water being provided to the showerhead. A flow control member is disposed in a fluid pathway connected to the venturi, preventing spraying or leaking out of the air inlet, while reducing noise associated with the air induction.