Shower systems and methods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shower heads are limited in their ability to simultaneously spray water at a downward angle from a vertical wall and directly downward from a ceiling, requiring users to choose between different shower designs based on their desired water impact.
Innovation Solution
A shower system featuring a repositionable shower head and a ceiling-mounted panel with deflection features that redirect water upward, allowing the shower head to direct water at an angle toward the panel, which then deflects it downward for a customizable shower experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a shower head is fixed to spray water at a downward angle from a vertical wall, then the water impacts the user at an angled pattern, but the system cannot simultaneously provide direct downward water spray from a ceiling location
Solution Approach 1:
The panel is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both a support structure for the shower head and a water deflection surface. The same panel that supports the shower head also deflects water to create different spray patterns, eliminating the need for separate ceiling and wall shower head installations.
Solution Approach 2:
The panel acts as an intermediary element between the water source and the user. It receives water from the shower head and redirects it at different angles, mediating the water flow to achieve both angled and direct downward spray patterns without requiring multiple shower head fixtures.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a shower head is fixed to a ceiling to spray water directly downward, then the water impacts the user from above, but the system cannot simultaneously provide angled water spray from a vertical wall location
Solution Approach 1:
The panel serves dual purposes: supporting the shower head and deflecting water to create different spray patterns. This multi-functional design allows the system to provide both direct downward and angled water spray configurations using a single ceiling-mounted installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables dynamic adjustment of water spray direction through the movable panel. The panel can be repositioned to different angles, allowing the water flow direction to change dynamically between direct downward and angled spray patterns, providing versatility without fixed multiple installations.
3Shape
If the panel is positioned closer to the shower head, then the deflection of water occurs at a higher location, but the panel may interfere with the shower head's repositioning movement
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the functions of water delivery and water deflection into distinct components: the shower head for water delivery and the panel for water deflection. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component's position and movement without interference between them.
Solution Approach 2:
The panel is positioned in a different spatial dimension relative to the shower head's movement path. By placing the panel on the ceiling plane while the shower head moves in a vertical arc, the system utilizes three-dimensional space to prevent interference while maintaining effective water deflection.
4Ease of operation
If the panel is positioned farther from the shower head, then the shower head has more space to reposition, but the deflection of water occurs at a lower location reducing spray effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic adjustment capabilities where the panel's angle and position can be modified to optimize water deflection at different distances from the shower head. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to maintain effective spray trajectories regardless of the panel's relative position.
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 users to selectively reposition the shower head and panel to achieve both angled and direct water spray patterns, enhancing user satisfaction by providing increased flexibility and versatility in showering configurations.
Implementation Method 1
The panel includes a deflection surface that includes a plurality of deflection features that are configured to redirect water that is incident upon the deflection surface at an upward angle toward a location directly beneath the panel
Data Source
AI summary
A shower system includes a panel. The panel is configured to be mounted on a ceiling within a showering enclosure. The panel includes a deflection surface that includes a plurality of deflection features that are configured to redirect water that is incident upon the deflection surface at an upward angle toward a location directly beneath the panel.