Modular Shower Head With Pressure-Compensating Emitters
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional shower heads limit water coverage and flow rate, making it impractical to customize shower experiences while conserving water, especially for high area coverage, as they require a fixed configuration that may lead to excessive water use.
Innovation Solution
A modular shower head system with a valve and conduit array, incorporating pressure-compensating emitters that allow for a customizable secondary outlet flow independent of the primary flow, enabling users to adjust water distribution and flow rates without increasing water usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a shower head is designed for high area coverage, then water coverage area is improved, but water consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shower head system divides water delivery into two separate streams: a primary outlet flow through traditional shower head orifices and a secondary outlet flow through rain-style emitters. This segmentation allows independent control of each stream's flow rate and coverage area, enabling high coverage with reduced overall water consumption by optimizing the contribution of each segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates a valve that allows dynamic switching between different flow configurations - users can adjust the mix of primary and secondary outlet flows to achieve desired coverage and water savings. The secondary outlet flow rate is made variable through interchangeable emitters and valve control, transforming a static high-consumption design into a dynamic system that adapts to water conservation needs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional shower head is used, then water supply is simple, but customization of shower experience is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The shower head system is designed to work in conjunction with or independently from a traditional shower head, providing multi-functionality. The secondary outlet with rain-style emitters can supplement the traditional shower head or replace it entirely, allowing the same system to serve different user preferences and water conservation requirements without requiring complete system replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs interchangeable emitters that can be easily replaced if clogged or malfunctioning. These emitters are designed as replaceable components rather than permanent fixtures, allowing users to maintain the system with simple component replacement rather than replacing the entire shower head assembly, thus managing complexity through modular replaceability.
3Ease of repair
If emitters are made interchangeable for ease of maintenance, then ease of repair is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The emitter assembly is segmented as a separate replaceable component from the main shower head body and conduit array. This segmentation allows the emitter to be independently removed and replaced without affecting other system components, simplifying maintenance while keeping the overall system architecture manageable through clear component boundaries.
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 system allows users to customize shower experiences while reducing water consumption by providing a configurable and efficient water distribution system that maintains water conservation standards, with interchangeable emitters for easy maintenance and varied flow patterns.
Implementation Method 1
at least one pressure compensating emitter is removably adjoined. The at least one pressure compensating emitter outputs a constant flow rate of the water supply independent of the supply pressure of the water supply
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a shower head system for the preservation of a water supply of a shower. The user is allowed the option to configure the water supply in a secondary outlet flow and a primary outlet flow. The secondary outlet flow, in some embodiments, is a droplet or rain-style flow. Without impeding the traditional or existing shower head the current invention allows the user to conserve water and customize different bathing experiences while doing so.