Device for creating a water shower

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional methods for creating a water shower in saunas without a pressurized water line are unsafe and inefficient, as they often involve mixing hot and cold water manually, which can lead to scalding and uneven water distribution, and require electrical components that are not suitable for all environments.

Innovation Solution

A device comprising a hand-operated piston pump with suction and pressure sides, connected suction hoses for mixing cold and hot water, a shower nozzle, and a tank for storing water, which allows for safe mixing and distribution of water without electricity, using flow restrictors and one-way valves to regulate temperature and prevent siphonage, and a frame for mounting the components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a hand-operated pump is used to create water pressure without electricity, then the device becomes suitable for environments without electrical power, but the user must continuously pump to maintain the shower

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuitability for environments without electricityVSAvoidcontinuous pumping requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The pump is used in advance to fill the elevated storage tank with water before showering begins. This preliminary action stores potential energy in the form of elevated water, eliminating the need for continuous pumping during shower use. The tank is filled once, then gravity provides the pressure for the shower.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If hot and cold water are mixed manually in a washbasin, then water can be obtained for washing, but the bather risks scalding from boiling water

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater mixing capabilityVSAvoidscalding risk from hot water
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary mixing chamber where hot and cold water are mixed before reaching the user. This intermediary system allows controlled mixing of temperatures, ensuring the water is safe for the user while still providing the desired washing function. The mixing occurs in a controlled environment rather than direct manual handling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If water is poured from a washbasin or bucket, then washing can be performed, but it is difficult to regulate the water flow and water consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater pouring capabilityVSAvoidwater consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses gravity flow from the elevated tank to automatically regulate water delivery to the shower head. The water flow is self-regulating through the gravitational potential energy, eliminating the need for manual pouring while providing controlled water delivery. This reduces water waste by delivering only the amount needed for the shower.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Extent of automation

If electrical components are used in the pump, then automated water pumping is achieved, but the device becomes unsuitable for cold and damp environments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomated water pumpingVSAvoidperformance in cold and damp conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electrical pumping mechanisms with a manual hand-operated pump. This mechanical substitution eliminates the reliability issues associated with electrical components in cold and damp environments, while still achieving the necessary water pumping function through manual operation during the initial tank filling phase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

5Productivity

If suction hoses are used to pump water from tanks, then water can be moved to the shower, but siphonage occurs and empties tank contents into each other

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater pumping capabilityVSAvoidsiphonage between tanks
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts or removes the problematic siphonage effect by using separate, isolated suction hoses for each tank that terminate at the pump intake. The pump acts as a barrier that prevents the siphonage connection between tanks, allowing each tank to be pumped independently without the harmful siphonage effect that would otherwise cause cross-contamination or emptying of tank contents.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 a safe and even water shower without electricity, allowing for efficient mixing and regulation of water temperature, preventing scalding and siphonage, and reducing water consumption by allowing the user to shower without continuous pumping.

Implementation Method 1

a hand-operated pump, comprising a suction side and a pressure side, to create suction in the suction hose and to create pressure to move the water flow to the pressure side of the said pump

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 2

a tank for storing the pumped water, located above the shower nozzle, to which tank the shower nozzle is connected in order to create a shower by gravity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP2881025B1Device for creating a water shower
Publication Date: 2017.06.14 IDEALUX OY
  • EP2881025B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2881025B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2881025B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for creating a water shower, which includes at least one suction hose (1.1, 4.1) for sucking water, a hand-operated pump (8), comprising a suction side and a pressure side, to create suction in the suction hose (1.1, 4.1) and to create pressure to move the water flow to the pressure side of the said pump (8), to the suction side of which pump (8) the suction hose (1.1, 4.1) is connected, as well as a shower nozzle (16), for creating a shower from the water flow, connected to the pressure side of the pump (8). The device (100) includes, in addition, a tank (13) for storing the pumped water, situated above the said shower nozzle (16), to which tank (13) the said shower nozzle (16) is connected, in order to create a shower by gravity.