Flow Dispersion Device with Programmable Spray Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ablutionary fittings, such as showers, lack the ability to provide controllable water spray characteristics, limiting user experience and requiring manual adjustment of flow rate, temperature, and spray pattern.
Innovation Solution
A flow dispersion device with a coupling mechanism and a data storage medium that stores computer-readable information defining spray characteristics, allowing the ablutionary fitting to control the water spray, including NFC or RFID technology for wireless communication, enabling programmable and customizable user experiences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional ablutionary fittings are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the ability to control water spray characteristics is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate functional modules: a flow dispersion device with nozzle array for spray generation, a data storage medium for storing spray characteristic programs, and a controller for reading and executing instructions. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow dispersion device incorporates a data storage medium that stores program instructions defining spray characteristics. The controller automatically reads and executes these instructions without requiring manual intervention, enabling the system to self-regulate spray parameters based on stored programs.
2Ease of operation
If manual adjustment of flow rate, temperature, and spray pattern is required, then the device complexity is low, but the user experience and convenience are limited
Solution Approach 1:
Manual mechanical adjustment mechanisms are replaced with an automated control system. The controller reads spray characteristic programs from the data storage medium and automatically adjusts flow rate, temperature, and spray pattern parameters, eliminating the need for manual mechanical adjustment while improving user convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
A controller acts as an intermediary between the data storage medium and the flow dispersion device. It translates stored program instructions into actual control signals that adjust the spray characteristics, providing a bridge between information storage and physical actuation without requiring direct user interaction.
3Adaptability or versatility
If programmable spray characteristics are implemented, then user experience customization is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of manufacturing different physical hardware configurations for different spray characteristics, the system uses data storage media to store program instructions that define various spray patterns. The same physical device can be reconfigured by loading different programs, eliminating the need for multiple manufacturing variants.
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves different spray characteristics by changing operational parameters (flow rate, temperature, nozzle activation patterns) through software control rather than through different physical configurations. This allows infinite variability in spray characteristics without increasing manufacturing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A flow dispersion device for use with an ablutionary fitting having an outlet providing a water stream includes a coupling mechanism arranged to removably couple the flow dispersion device to the ablutionary fitting such that, when coupled, the flow dispersion device is arranged to disperse the water stream into a water spray. The flow dispersion device further includes a data storage medium arranged to store computer readable information defining one or more spray characteristics, wherein the data storage medium is readable by the ablutionary fitting to control the water spray according to the one or more stored spray characteristics. An ablutionary fitting and a set of dispersion devices is also disclosed.