Hyperboloid Spray Head Nozzle Layout for Water Coverage Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing spray heads fail to efficiently direct water streams into aesthetically pleasing and functional spray patterns that minimize water waste and optimize coverage, power, and dry zones for various applications.

Innovation Solution

A spray head design featuring a plurality of nozzles arranged at compound angles to form hyperboloidal spray patterns, allowing streams to converge and diverge without intersecting, with optional nested or overlapping patterns for enhanced functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If conventional spray heads are used, then water is directed in simple spray patterns, but water waste increases and coverage efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater wasteVSAvoidcoverage efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a hyperboloidal geometric configuration to the spray pattern, where multiple water streams converge toward a focal point and then diverge, creating a curved three-dimensional spray envelope. This curved hyperboloidal path maximizes water coverage efficiency by directing streams along optimal trajectories that cover the target area while minimizing water waste through precise stream convergence and divergence control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple nozzles are added to improve spray pattern complexity, then device complexity increases, but manufacturing becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespray pattern functionalityVSAvoidnozzle arrangement complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The spray head is segmented into multiple independent nozzles, each configured at specific angles relative to the central axis. This segmentation allows each nozzle to be manufactured and positioned independently, forming the complex hyperboloidal spray pattern through a modular arrangement of simpler components rather than requiring a single complex nozzle structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The nozzles are arranged asymmetrically at compound angles relative to the central axis, with each nozzle positioned to contribute to the hyperboloidal geometry. This asymmetric angular arrangement creates the versatile hyperboloidal spray pattern while maintaining manufacturability through standardized nozzle components positioned at specific non-uniform angles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

3Productivity

If streams are directed to converge for better coverage, then streams may intersect causing water waste, but coverage is improved

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecoverageVSAvoidwater intersection waste

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The hyperboloidal geometry is specifically designed so that water streams converge toward a focal point along curved trajectories and then diverge, creating a three-dimensional spray envelope. The curved hyperboloidal path ensures that streams approach the focal region without intersecting, as each stream follows its own curved trajectory defined by the hyperboloid surface, maximizing coverage while preventing water waste from stream intersection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentUS12533684B2Spray head with hyperboloid spray pattern

Publication Date: 2026.01.27 KOHLER CO(US)

AI summary

A spray head includes a first plurality of nozzles for emitting water in a first spray pattern and a second plurality of nozzles for emitting the water in a second spray pattern. In at least one mode of operation, the water is emitted from both the first plurality of nozzles and the second plurality of nozzles with the second spray pattern being at least partially encompassed within the first spray pattern; and wherein at least one of the first or second spray pattern is a hyperboloidal shape.