Inline shower device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensing devices for aromatic liquids in shower environments are prone to variable performance due to dependence on water supply pressure, leading to inconsistent dispense rates and user experiences.
Innovation Solution
An inline shower device with a hydraulic chamber and a fluid-driven piston, controlled by selectively applied fluid pressure, ensures consistent delivery of aromatic liquids into the inlet waterway, allowing for user-controlled dispensing and visual fluid level indication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing dispensing devices are used to introduce aromatic liquids into the shower waterway, then the device structure is simple, but the dispense rate varies considerably due to dependence on incoming water supply pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a fluid-driven piston mechanism where water pressure acts on a piston to dispense aromatic liquid from a capsule. The piston is positioned within a chamber such that water flow activates it to push the aromatic liquid through a nozzle, converting hydraulic energy into controlled dispensing action while maintaining consistent dispense rates independent of supply pressure variations
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameter from direct pressure-dependent dispensing to a regulated piston-driven dispensing system. By introducing a mechanical piston that responds to water pressure in a controlled manner, the system transforms variable water pressure into consistent dispensing parameters, ensuring reliable aromatic liquid release regardless of supply pressure fluctuations
2Ease of operation
If the aromatic liquid is released immediately after shower activation, then the device operation is simple, but the user experience varies due to inability to control dispensing timing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables preliminary action by allowing the user to activate the dispensing mechanism at any desired moment during the shower, rather than forcing immediate release. The piston system can be triggered on-demand, giving users the flexibility to time the aromatic liquid release to their preference, whether at the start, middle, or end of the shower experience
3Reliability
If the device depends on incoming supply pressure for performance, then the device structure is simple, but the overall user experience is inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a piston as an intermediary element between the water supply and the aromatic liquid dispensing system. This mediator converts variable water pressure into consistent mechanical motion, ensuring that the aromatic liquid is dispensed at a steady rate regardless of fluctuations in the incoming water supply pressure, thereby maintaining reliable user experience
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 solution provides a consistent and user-controllable dispensing of aromatic liquids, enhancing the bathing experience by maintaining a stable dispense rate regardless of water supply pressure and allowing for flexible timing of fluid release.
Implementation Method 1
The fluid-driven piston is disposed within the hydraulic chamber and is configured to dispense a fluid from the capsule into the outlet port. A position of the fluid-driven piston is controlled by selectively applying fluid pressure to a first side and a second side of the fluid-driven piston.
Data Source
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AI summary
An inline shower device (100) includes a housing (102), a hydraulic chamber (304), a first actuator (200), and a fluid-driven piston (306). The housing (102) includes an outlet port (106). The hydraulic chamber (304) is disposed within the housing (102). The first actuator (200) is configured to connect a capsule (108) to the housing (102) and to fluidly connect the capsule (108) to the hydraulic chamber (304). The fluid-driven piston (306) is disposed within the hydraulic chamber (304) and is configured to dispense a fluid from the capsule (108) into the outlet port (106). A position of the fluid-driven piston (306) is controlled by selectively applying fluid pressure to a first side (323) and a second side (325) of the fluid-driven piston (306).