Rain shower
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shower systems require high water flow rates to produce continuous streams of water, which is inefficient and does not simulate the experience of rain, as users often prefer the feel and sound of raindrops rather than continuous streams.
Innovation Solution
A shower assembly with a panel featuring a reservoir and multiple holes that allow water to flow through under gravity, forming discrete drops, and a control system to manage flow rate, temperature, and additional features like audio and lighting to enhance the rain-like experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional shower systems force water through nozzle holes to create continuous streams, then water flow rate is high, but water consumption increases and rain-like experience is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The shower system divides the water flow into discrete droplets rather than continuous streams. The panel includes multiple openings that release water as individual droplets, segmented in both space (distributed across the panel) and time (droplets released sequentially), creating a rain-like effect while reducing overall water consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic action by releasing water in rhythmic droplet patterns rather than continuous flow. The controller manages the timing and frequency of droplet release from the openings, creating a pulsing rain-like pattern that maintains satisfaction while reducing average water flow rate.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional shower systems use high flow rates to produce continuous streams, then water coverage is adequate, but the experience does not simulate rain
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the physical parameters of water delivery by controlling droplet size, release frequency, and spatial distribution. The openings are designed with specific dimensions to produce droplets of appropriate size, and the controller adjusts flow parameters to match natural rain characteristics, transforming the water delivery mode from continuous stream to discrete droplets.
3Ease of manufacture
If shower systems provide streams from ceiling panels, then water delivery is simplified, but the sound and feel of rain is not simulated
Solution Approach 1:
The panel design incorporates local quality by creating different droplet release characteristics at different locations. The openings are distributed across the panel surface with varying patterns, and the controller can selectively activate different regions to simulate natural rain variation, enhancing the realism while maintaining the simple ceiling panel installation.
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 shower assembly provides a satisfying and realistic rain-like experience at lower water flow rates, reducing water consumption while mimicking the sensation of rain through discrete drops and adjustable features.
Implementation Method 1
water passes through the first plurality of holes by gravitational force, forms a drop at the outlet of each of the first plurality of holes, and falls from the panel as a plurality of drops
Data Source
AI summary
A shower assembly includes an inlet port, a reservoir, and a plurality of drop outlets. The inlet is for receiving water from a water source. The reservoir receives water from the inlet port and is not pressurized by a line pressure of the water source. Each of the drop outlet ports is configured, such that water passes from the reservoir, through the plurality of drop outlet ports, forms a drop at each drop outlet port, and falls from each drop outlet port only as discrete drops of water.