Handshower Assembly Rotatable Sleeve Spray Patterns
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing personal handshower designs struggle to provide adjustable spray patterns while maintaining a sleek, ornamental appearance, often resulting in irregular or undesirable spray patterns and external aesthetics.
Innovation Solution
A handshower assembly with a handle, nozzle head assembly, and axially extending waterway, featuring a rotatable outer sleeve that switches between two sets of radially extending orifices to deliver different spray patterns, maintaining a sleek stick-like appearance and intuitive alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a personal handshower is designed with adjustable spray patterns, then spray pattern versatility is improved, but external ornamental appearance deteriorates due to bulbous appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing the rotatable outer sleeve containing spray pattern selection mechanisms inside the handle body. The outlets are arranged in a circular pattern on the front face of the handle, with a rotatable sleeve that covers and reveals different sets of outlets. This nested configuration allows multiple spray patterns to be accommodated within a compact, sleek handle design that maintains desirable external ornamental appearance.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a sleeve mechanism is used to provide spray pattern selection, then spray pattern versatility is improved, but external ornamental appearance deteriorates due to undesirable appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the outer sleeve rotatable to different angular positions, where each position selectively exposes different sets of outlets. The sleeve has a first position exposing a first set of outlets for a first spray pattern, and a second position exposing a second set of outlets for a second spray pattern. This localized control mechanism provides spray pattern versatility while maintaining a sleek external appearance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple spray patterns are provided in different directions, then spray pattern versatility is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to non-optimal positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by arranging the outlets in a non-uniform circular pattern on the front face of the handle. The outlets are positioned at different angular locations around the circle, allowing selective exposure of different outlet sets through rotation of the outer sleeve. This asymmetric arrangement enables multiple spray patterns to be directed in optimal directions while maintaining ease of operation through intuitive rotational selection.
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
Enables easy selection of at least two distinct spray patterns in the same direction, enhancing usability and aesthetic appeal while minimizing parts and assembly costs.
Implementation Method 1
The outer sleeve of the nozzle head assembly is rotatable relative to the axially extending waterway to move the outer sleeve from a first position where the axially extending channel is in communication with a first group of radially extending outlets to a second position where the axially extending channel is in communication with at least some of the radially extending outlets that are not in the first group
Data Source
AI summary
A handshower is disclosed providing two different radial spray patterns that can be selectively operated. There is a handle adapted for connection to a water supply, a nozzle head having an outer sleeve and an inner chamber connected to the handle, and an axially extending waterway positioned in an inner chamber of the nozzle head. On the sleeve there is an array of outlets running from the inner chamber to an outer radial face. The waterway has an axially extending channel and multiple sets of radially extending orifices. The sleeve is rotatable relative to the waterway from a first position where the channel is in communication with a first group of outlets to a second position where the channel is in communication with at least some of the outlets that are not in the first group.