Integrated Showerhead with Thermostatic Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current shower devices with long pipelines between the showerhead and control box result in water waste, poor user experience, and material wastage due to the need for exposed or buried pipelines.
Innovation Solution
A showerhead with a built-in water passage control apparatus, including a temperature regulating valve and changeover switch, allows for direct connection to cold and hot water sources, eliminating the need for long pipelines by enabling hot water output without residual cold water and reducing material waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a long pipeline is used between the control box and showerhead, then the showerhead can be positioned at a distance from the water sources, but water waste occurs due to residual cold water in the pipeline
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control box and showerhead into a single integrated unit, eliminating the long pipeline connection between them. The control components (thermostatic controller or mixing valve) are housed within the showerhead body itself, allowing direct connection to water sources and eliminating water waste from residual cold water in long pipelines.
2Ease of operation
If a long pipeline is used between the control box and showerhead, then the showerhead can be positioned at a distance from the water sources, but material waste and maintenance issues arise from exposed or buried pipelines
Solution Approach 1:
The control box and showerhead are combined into one integrated device, eliminating the need for separate pipelines connecting them. This integration removes the complexity of pipeline installation, whether exposed or buried, and eliminates material waste from unnecessary piping.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the control box is positioned far from the showerhead, then installation flexibility is improved, but the section for remaining cold water increases
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the control box within the showerhead, the patent eliminates the distance between water supply and discharge point. The thermostatic controller or mixing valve is positioned inside the showerhead body, ensuring that heated water is produced and delivered immediately without requiring discharge of cold water from long pipelines.
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 reduces water waste, improves user experience, and eliminates the need for external or buried pipelines, saving materials and simplifying maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
the temperature regulating valve is provided with an adjusting switch which is configured to be capable of adjusting the opening degree of the temperature regulating valve to adjust the mixing ratio of cold and hot water entering from the water inlet end
Implementation Method 2
the changeover switch is a control valve, and the controller is connected with the control valve and is configured to control the control valve to switch the communication relationship between a water outlet of the control valve and the various water outlet channels
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
A showerhead (100) includes a water inlet end (1) for connecting with cold and hot water sources, a water outlet end (2), and a water passage control apparatus (3) connected between the water inlet end (1) and the water outlet end (2). The water outlet end (2) is provided with one or more types of water outlet holes (121), and the water passage control apparatus (3) includes a temperature regulating valve (30) which is arranged to adjust the mixing ratio of cold and hot water entering from the water inlet end (1).