Handshower Cradle Assembly With Automatic Docked Flow Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing handshowers continue to flow water at full rate when docked, leading to potential water waste and requiring complex control mechanisms, either on the wall or the handshower itself.
Innovation Solution
A handshower cradle assembly with a waterway body and an actuator that adjusts water flow based on the handshower's docking state, using a plunger mechanism to restrict or allow water flow automatically or manually.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the handshower continues to flow water at full rate when docked, then the user can quickly resume showering by simply picking up the handshower, but water is wasted and energy is consumed unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects when the handshower is docked and adjusts the flow rate accordingly without requiring user intervention. The cradle assembly self-regulates the water flow based on the presence or absence of the handshower, eliminating the need for manual control while preventing water waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the physical presence of the handshower in the cradle as feedback to automatically adjust the flow rate. When the handshower is docked, the system detects this state and reduces flow; when removed, it restores full flow, creating a closed-loop control system that responds to user needs while conserving water.
2Loss of energy
If a separate flow controller is added to the wall or handshower, then water flow can be controlled, but the hardware complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flow control functionality is merged into the cradle assembly itself rather than being a separate component. The actuator mechanism is integrated within the cradle, combining the docking function with the flow control function in a single unified structure, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cradle assembly serves multiple functions: it supports the handshower when not in use, detects the presence of the handshower, and controls the water flow rate. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate flow controllers while providing comprehensive water management capabilities.
3Loss of energy
If manual control mechanisms are added to the handshower, then flow rate can be adjusted, but the handshower design becomes more complex and requires additional internal mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The flow control mechanism is extracted from the handshower body and relocated to the cradle assembly. This removes the complexity of internal flow control mechanisms from the handshower design while maintaining the ability to adjust flow rates, as the control function now resides in the separate cradle component.
4Loss of energy
If additional flow control hardware is installed, then water flow can be regulated, but the installation process becomes more complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The flow control hardware is merged with the cradle assembly structure, so that installing the cradle automatically provides both the docking function and the flow control capability. This integration eliminates the need for separate installation steps for flow control components, simplifying the overall installation process.
Data Source
AI summary
A handshower cradle assembly includes a waterway body, a handshower cradle, and an actuator. The handshower cradle is coupled to the waterway body. The actuator is configured to reduce a flow rate of water through the waterway body in response to a handshower being received within the handshower cradle. In some embodiments, the handshower cradle is configured to engage with the actuator under the weight of the handshower to adjust a position of the actuator with respect to the waterway body.