Recirculating Shower Layout With Separate Catchment Basin
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shower recirculation systems are inefficient due to large water volume, heat loss, and poor hygiene, as the entire floor acts as a catchment area, leading to disturbed water flow and maintenance issues.
Innovation Solution
A method and assembly with a separate, elevated catchment basin and support area, where the pump is positioned above the support area to facilitate controlled water circulation, drainage, and temperature maintenance, allowing for efficient water use and hygiene by isolating the water collection and circulation systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the entire floor acts as catchment area, then water collection area is maximized, but heat loss increases and hygiene deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the shower system into distinct functional zones: a separate catchment basin for water collection and a support area for the user. This segmentation isolates the circulating water to a confined basin rather than allowing it to spread across the entire floor, thereby reducing the surface area exposed to heat loss while maintaining adequate water volume for circulation.
2Quantity of substance
If the entire floor acts as catchment area, then water collection area is maximized, but hygiene deteriorates due to standing in circulated water
Solution Approach 1:
The support area and catchment basin are spatially separated, with the catchment basin positioned below the support area level. This segmentation ensures that the user stands on a dry support area while the circulated water is confined to the basin, eliminating direct contact between the user and circulated water and thereby maintaining hygiene.
3Adaptability or versatility
If pump is located outside shower stall, then installation flexibility increases, but water circulation efficiency becomes uncertain
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a water reservoir positioned between the pump and the shower system. This intermediary reservoir ensures that the pump always has water available to draw from, eliminating air intake issues and ensuring continuous efficient circulation. The reservoir acts as a buffer that decouples the pump's location from the water source requirements.
4Quantity of substance
If large volume of water is buffered in catchment area, then water availability is improved, but heat loss increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention concentrates the necessary water volume into a localized catchment basin with insulated walls, rather than distributing water across a large floor area. This creates a compact water reservoir that maintains adequate water volume for circulation while minimizing the surface area exposed to heat loss, thereby improving thermal efficiency.
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 and energy consumption by up to 90% compared to traditional systems, maintains hygiene by preventing standing in circulated water, and ensures efficient drainage and temperature control, enhancing user acceptance.
Implementation Method 1
a pump (7) arranged above the support area level for circulating the circulating shower flow between the catchment basin (10) and the shower head (3)
Implementation Method 2
a drain (12) at a bottom level of the catchment basin (10)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Disclosed are a shower device and a method for operating the shower device. The method comprises the steps: - initial filling the catchment basin from a fresh water supply through the pump and the water intake until a desired showering water volume is in the catchment basin, - activating the pump and taking in water at the water intake for circulating a circulating shower flow between the catchment basin and a shower head which dispenses at the support area.