Flow Rate Control Unit for Constant Shower Water and Fine Bubbles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Water supply devices, such as shower heads, face challenges in maintaining a constant water flow rate regardless of varying water pressure, particularly in tall buildings where pressure can be inconsistent.
Innovation Solution
A flow rate control unit with a housing, valve member, and elastic biasing member that adjusts resistance to maintain a constant flow rate by varying the position of the valve member within the flow passage, ensuring a consistent liquid flow irrespective of water pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If water pressure is increased to maintain spray pressure, then spray pressure is improved, but water consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Air is introduced as an intermediary substance to mix with water in the mixing chamber. This air-water mixture allows the spray head to deliver sufficient spray pressure and volume without requiring proportionally higher water pressure input, thereby reducing water consumption while maintaining spray performance
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the spray by introducing air bubbles into the water stream. This creates an air-water mixture with different density and flow characteristics, allowing the system to achieve desired spray pressure with lower water consumption
2Quantity of substance
If water pressure is decreased to reduce water consumption, then water consumption is reduced, but spray pressure becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
Air serves as a mediator that compensates for reduced water pressure. The air-water mixture in the mixing chamber maintains sufficient spray pressure even when input water pressure is reduced, allowing water consumption to be lowered without sacrificing spray performance
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the air-water mixture ratio in the mixing chamber to compensate for variations in water pressure. This dynamic balancing allows the spray head to maintain consistent spray pressure across a range of water consumption levels
3Stability of the object's composition
If a flow rate control mechanism is added to maintain constant flow rate, then flow rate stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow rate control unit operates automatically based on pressure differential without requiring external control systems. The valve member self-regulates flow rate by responding to pressure changes, eliminating the need for complex electronic controls or manual adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The flow rate control unit incorporates a feedback mechanism where the valve member position is automatically adjusted based on the pressure differential between upstream and downstream sides. This passive feedback system maintains constant flow rate without complex control electronics
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 flow rate control unit ensures a substantially constant water flow rate and pressure across different water pressure conditions, demonstrated by maintaining an average flow rate of 5 L/min with a stable range of 4.5 to 5.5 L/min, and generating a high amount of fine bubbles in the shower head.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic biasing member (35) configured to bias the valve member (25) toward the most upstream position and deform such that the movement of the valve member (25) toward the downstream side increases in response to a force received at the pressure receiving portion (31) from the liquid increases
Implementation Method 2
the valve member (25) having a pressure receiving portion (31) that faces the inlet opening (16) and receives a force, in a direction toward the downstream side, from the liquid flowing into the flow passage (15) from the inlet opening (16)
Implementation Method 3
the second guide flow passage (33) cooperates with the valve member (25) and the downstream wall (13) to constitute a variable resistance portion that gives a resistance to the liquid passing through the second guide flow passage (33), the resistance increasing as the valve member (25) moves from the upstream wall (14) toward the downstream side
Data Source
AI summary
A flow rate control unit includes (a) a housing including a hollow cylindrical wall configured to form a flow passage, an upstream wall, a downstream wall, an inlet opening, and an outlet opening; (b) a valve member disposed inside the cylindrical, configured to move between a most upstream position and a most downstream, the valve member including a pressure receiving portion that faces the inlet opening; and (c) an elastic biasing member (d) The valve member or the cylindrical wall forms a first guide passage. (e) The valve member forms a second guide flow passage.