Elliptical Roof-Mounted Solar Shower for Faster Water Heating
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable solar showers are not efficient in heating water, prone to breakage, and lack a secure attachment method, which affects their durability and aesthetic appeal.
Innovation Solution
A portable solar shower apparatus constructed from a black metal alloy with an elliptical cross-sectional shape for enhanced solar exposure, incorporating a built-in slotted trough for secure mounting and a radiator cap for pressure management, providing improved durability and aesthetic design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If plastic, glass, or acrylic pipe is used for the shower, then the shower may be lighter or easier to manufacture, but it is less durable and more prone to breakage during shipping and rough outdoor use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite construction by embedding copper pipes within aluminum plates to create a solar panel assembly that combines the thermal conductivity of copper with the structural properties of aluminum, achieving both durability and manufacturing efficiency
2Temperature
If the shower is designed with conventional shape, then manufacturing is simpler, but less surface area faces the sky for solar exposure, reducing heating efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from conventional cylindrical or rectangular shapes to an elliptical cross-section, orienting the major axis horizontally to maximize the surface area facing upward toward the sky, thereby enhancing solar radiation absorption and water heating efficiency
3Reliability
If separate attachment components are used, then the mounting system is more complex, but the attachment may be more secure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the mounting trough directly into the vessel wall structure, eliminating the need for separate attachment components and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining secure mounting capability through the built-in integration
4Temperature
If black metal is used for the shower, then solar absorption and heating efficiency improve, but the material may be more expensive or harder to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies black coating or uses black metal material to maximize solar radiation absorption, and employs elliptical shaping to optimize the surface area exposed to sunlight, thereby enhancing thermal energy capture from solar exposure
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 results in faster and hotter water heating, increased durability, secure attachment, and a more aesthetically pleasing design, making it suitable for rough outdoor use and camping applications.
Implementation Method 1
The present portable solar shower is constructed from a metal alloy, such as aluminum, and painted or coated black, or another dark color to absorb the sunlight
Implementation Method 2
Vessel 30 is manufactured using a metal that has high heat conductivity
Data Source
AI summary
Improvements on a portable pressurized solar shower which is mounted on the roof of a vehicle using roof rack mounting hardware. The vessel is an elongated elliptical shape (20), which is capped on both ends (32) with an endplate. It can be filled by removing a radiator cap (34) on top. Water can be sprayed out using an attached hose (60) and nozzle (70). The vessel is made from black painted or coated conductive metal which absorbs the sunlight and transfers the heat to the water on the inside. The vessel can be pressurized by an air pump via a valve stem (39) installed on the vessel. A mounting bolt slides within a T-slot which is integrated as part of the shower vessel.