Pulse shower device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Large-sized pulse shower devices experience a deteriorated showering sensation due to an excessively strong pulsating sensation when the impeller shape is enlarged, leading to an uneven distribution of water flow and blockage, which affects user comfort.

Innovation Solution

A pulse shower device design with a water dispersion plate and impeller featuring a greater number of outer shower hole blocking and opening portions than inner ones, arranged on the same circumference, and a shorter time interval for blocking and opening at the outer peripheral portion compared to the inner, to maintain a comfortable pulsating sensation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the impeller diameter is increased to enlarge the pulse shower device, then the device size increases, but the pulsating sensation becomes excessively strong and showering comfort deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidpulsating sensation
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The impeller is segmented into multiple blocking portions (first blocking portion and second blocking portion) and multiple opening portions arranged circumferentially. This segmentation allows different regions of the impeller to block and open shower holes at different times during rotation, distributing the water flow interruption across multiple smaller segments rather than one large blocking portion, thereby reducing the intensity of the pulsating sensation while maintaining device size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different circumferential regions of the impeller are assigned different functions: the first blocking portion blocks shower holes at the inner peripheral portion, the second blocking portion blocks shower holes at the outer peripheral portion, and opening portions are positioned between them. This local differentiation of blocking and opening functions across different radial positions creates a more uniform water flow distribution that reduces excessive pulsating sensation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Device complexity

If a single large blocking portion is used in the impeller, then the structure is simple, but the water flow distribution becomes uneven and pulsating sensation intensifies

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpeller structureVSAvoidwater flow distribution
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The single large blocking portion is divided into multiple smaller blocking portions (first blocking portion for inner peripheral shower holes, second blocking portion for outer peripheral shower holes) arranged at different circumferential positions. This segmentation creates multiple blocking and opening events during one rotation cycle, distributing water flow more evenly across time and space, thereby stabilizing the water flow composition and reducing intense pulsating sensation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The blocking and opening functions are extended from a single circumferential position to multiple circumferential positions and multiple radial positions (inner and outer peripheral portions). By adding the radial dimension to the blocking/opening mechanism, the patent achieves more uniform water flow distribution across different shower hole locations while maintaining relatively simple impeller structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 design ensures a relaxed pulsating sensation and improved showering experience by balancing the distribution of water flow and blockage, preventing the sensation from becoming overly strong even when the device is enlarged.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of vanes for rotating the impeller around an axis when a water stream hits the vanes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWater stream impact: Impact Force

Data Source

PatentEP2949249B1Pulse shower device
Publication Date: 2019.07.24 LIXIL CORP
  • EP2949249B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2949249B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2949249B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A pulse shower device including a water dispersion plate and an impeller is provided. The water dispersion plate includes an inner surface and an outer surface, and a plurality of shower holes that are provided from the inner surface to the outer surface. The impeller includes shower hole blocking portions that are formed over a predetermined circumferential length along the inner surface in a downstream portion of the inner surface of the water dispersion plate, and cover the plurality of shower holes; shower hole opening portions that open toward the inner surface; a plurality of vanes; an inner peripheral portion; and an outer peripheral portion. The impeller is provided on an upstream portion of the inner surface of the water dispersion plate, and rotates around an axis due to a water stream hitting the vanes.