Flexible Pipe in Rigid Shower Housing for Weight Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shower arms made of brass are heavy and cause water to come into contact with metallic materials, which is undesirable.
Innovation Solution
A shower head system with a rigid, hollow, wall-mountable line housing that uses flexible, bendable lines made of materials like plastic or metal, which are inserted into the housing to avoid direct contact with water and allow for flexible routing without pre-matching to the housing shape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid brass shower arm is used, then structural strength and stability are ensured, but the weight increases and water comes into direct contact with metallic material
Solution Approach 1:
The shower arm system is divided into two separate components: a rigid hollow housing that provides structural support and stability, and a flexible inner pipe that carries water. This segmentation allows each component to fulfill its specific function - the housing provides strength while the flexible pipe prevents metal-water contact and reduces weight.
Solution Approach 2:
A flexible inner pipe is introduced as an intermediary element between the water supply and the rigid housing. This flexible pipe acts as a mediator that carries water through the hollow housing without direct contact between water and metallic housing material, thereby solving both the weight and metal-water contact issues while maintaining structural integrity.
2Strength
If a rigid metal pipe is used, then durability and strength are improved, but flexibility and ease of installation are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the structural function (rigid housing) from the fluid transport function (flexible inner pipe). The flexible inner pipe can be easily routed and installed to follow any path within the housing, while the rigid housing maintains its position and provides durability.
Solution Approach 2:
A flexible pipe made of bendable material is used as the water-carrying element within the rigid housing. This flexible pipe can be easily shaped and routed during installation to accommodate various installation scenarios without requiring precise pre-shaping or length adjustments, significantly improving ease of installation while the rigid housing provides the necessary durability.
3Manufacturing precision
If a custom-shaped rigid pipe is manufactured to match housing form, then precise fitting is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the pipe assembly into a standardized rigid housing and a flexible inner pipe. The housing can be manufactured as a simple hollow structure without complex shaping, while the flexible pipe is inserted afterward to match the required form. This eliminates the need for complex custom-shaped pipe manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible inner pipe provides dynamic adaptability to match the housing form after installation rather than requiring precise pre-forming. The flexibility allows the pipe to be shaped and positioned to fit the specific installation requirements without increasing manufacturing complexity of the housing itself.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
The sanitary line (1) has a rigid, hollow pipe casing (10) that comprises a base portion (10a) which releasably attached to the housing walls (10b). A flexible conduit (9) made of a bendable conductor material is arranged fluidly in parallel and inserted into the hollow pipe casing. A spacer is fixed or laterally guided into the pipe casing. The spacer is coupled to one end by a connecting nipple.