3D Fluidic Oscillator for Shower Water Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shower heads consume a large amount of water while attempting to deliver a pleasant shower experience, failing to efficiently distribute water to a specified area with a desired cleaning and rinsing effect.
Innovation Solution
A passive 3D fluidic oscillator design featuring an oscillator body with a three-dimensional space, fluid inlet, and outlet in flow communication, including first and second fluid interaction regions intersecting with feedback flow paths, which provides efficient fluid oscillation and distribution without moving parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large number of nozzles are employed to achieve a desired shower effect, then the cleaning and rinsing effect is improved, but water consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs fluidic oscillators that generate periodic oscillating water flow patterns. The oscillators create alternating jet streams that sweep across the shower area, providing effective cleaning coverage with fewer nozzles. This periodic action allows a single nozzle to cover a larger area over time, reducing the total number of nozzles needed and thereby reducing water consumption while maintaining effective rinsing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses passive fluidic oscillators that dynamically adjust flow patterns based on water pressure and flow rate. These oscillators create adaptive spray patterns that respond to changing water conditions, optimizing water distribution efficiency. The dynamic oscillating motion allows the system to maintain effective cleaning performance with reduced water flow compared to static multi-nozzle systems.
2Productivity
If conventional shower head designs are used to distribute water, then water is delivered to the shower area, but the distribution efficiency is insufficient and water consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the water distribution function into multiple independent fluidic oscillators, each capable of generating its own oscillating spray pattern. This segmentation allows each oscillator to efficiently cover a specific zone, improving overall distribution efficiency. The modular oscillator design enables optimized water delivery to different areas of the shower, reducing wasted water and improving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes passive fluidic oscillators that operate entirely through hydraulic principles, with no moving parts or external power sources. The oscillators use water pressure itself to drive the oscillation mechanism, converting steady water flow into oscillating jet patterns. This hydraulic approach significantly improves distribution efficiency compared to conventional static nozzles, as the oscillating flow creates better water atomization and coverage, delivering more effective water distribution with lower consumption.
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 fluidic oscillator design reduces water consumption while maintaining a pleasant shower experience by effectively distributing water, as demonstrated by faster shampoo and almond butter removal tests compared to commercial shower heads.
Implementation Method 1
a passive 3D fluidic oscillator design featuring an oscillator body with a three-dimensional space, fluid inlet, and outlet in flow communication, including first and second fluid interaction regions intersecting with feedback flow paths, which provides efficient fluid oscillation and distribution
Implementation Method 2
the three-dimensional space comprises a first fluid interaction region adjacent a first pair of feedback flow paths, and a second fluid interaction region adjacent a second pair of feedback flow paths
Data Source
AI summary
A fluidic oscillator, comprising an oscillator body comprising an exterior surface; an interior surface defining a three-dimensional space therein; a fluid inlet; and a fluid outlet, wherein the three-dimensional space, the fluid inlet, and the fluid outlet are in flow communication, the three-dimensional space comprises a first fluid interaction region fluidly coupled to a first pair of feedback flow paths, and a second fluid interaction region fluidly coupled to a second pair of feedback flow paths, and wherein the first and second fluid interaction regions intersect.