Recirculating Shower Catchment Basin with Air-Gap Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing recirculating shower systems face challenges in complying with building code limitations on flow rate and preventing back-flow into municipal water supplies due to pressure imbalances, while also maintaining a satisfactory shower experience.
Innovation Solution
A catchment basin with a recirculation pool area and drain area separated by a divider wall, featuring a passive drain plug and spillway, which includes an air gap to maintain independent pressures and control water flow, allowing for efficient water collection, recirculation, and drainage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If recirculating shower systems are implemented to conserve water, then water conservation is improved, but back-flow into municipal water supply occurs due to pressure imbalances
Solution Approach 1:
The catchment basin is segmented into two distinct areas: a recirculation pool area for collecting and recirculating shower water, and a drain area for excess water drainage. This segmentation allows independent pressure management in each zone, preventing pressure imbalances from causing back-flow into the municipal water supply while maintaining water conservation benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The divider wall acts as an intermediary structure between the recirculation pool area and drain area. It includes a slot for receiving a drain plug that controls water flow between areas, and features like spillways that regulate water transfer. This intermediary structure enables controlled water movement while maintaining pressure separation to prevent back-flow
2Loss of substance
If building code restrictions on flow rate are implemented, then water consumption is controlled, but shower experience quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The catchment basin system provides self-service water management by collecting, storing, and recirculating shower water within the shower enclosure. The passive drain plug and spillway mechanisms automatically regulate water flow and levels without requiring user intervention, maintaining comfortable shower experience while adhering to flow rate restrictions
Solution Approach 2:
The recirculating shower system enables continuous useful action by constantly recirculating collected shower water back through the showerhead. This continuous circulation maximizes water utilization within the restricted flow rate, maintaining shower experience quality by ensuring consistent water availability without waste
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 catchment basin effectively balances water volume, prevents back-flow, and maintains shower pressure and quality by ensuring compliance with building codes and reducing the risk of microbiological growth, while enhancing water conservation.
Implementation Method 1
the recirculation pool area is at a higher elevation than the drain area such that the collected shower water travels from the recirculation pool area to the drain area
Implementation Method 2
avoidance of the recirculation water or recirculating shower water from 'back-flowing' into the municipal grid water supply due to pressure imbalances between the recirculating shower and the municipal grid water supply
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure is directed at a catchment basin for use in a recirculating shower. The catchment basin includes a recirculation pool area for collecting shower water and a drain area. A divider wall separates the recirculation pool area and the drain area. The recirculation pool area is at a higher elevation than the drain area such that the collected shower water travels from the recirculation pool area to the drain area.