Reconfigurable Shower Control for Processor-Based Outlet Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Dual outlet showers are often incorrectly installed, leading to misaligned controls and the need for disruptive and time-consuming disconnection and reconnection of hoses or pipes, especially when the valve box is inaccessible.

Innovation Solution

A reconfigurable bathing apparatus with a processor that allows for electronic reconfiguration of control actions, enabling the correct alignment of control actions with their intended showerheads without physical access or disconnection, using a computer-implemented method and application to manage fluid flow through multiple outlets.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If hoses or pipes are disconnected and reconnected to correct outlets, then control alignment is corrected, but installation time and disruption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol alignmentVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of physically disconnecting and reconnecting hoses or pipes with an electronic/software-based reconfiguration system. The processor receives reconfiguration input and swaps the control mappings electronically, eliminating the need for manual physical intervention and significantly reducing installation time while maintaining control alignment reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If valve box is made inaccessible to prevent damage, then protection is improved, but access for correction is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve box protectionVSAvoidaccessibility for correction

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the mechanical access requirement with an electronic reconfiguration capability. The processor can swap control mappings through software input without requiring physical access to the valve box, allowing the valve box to remain protected and inaccessible while still enabling correction of control alignment issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If reconfiguration requires physical access to valve box, then control precision is maintained, but operation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol mapping accuracyVSAvoidreconfiguration simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the complex mechanical process of physical access and manual reconnection with a simple electronic reconfiguration input. The processor handles the precise control mapping swaps automatically based on user input, maintaining accuracy while dramatically simplifying the operation required to correct misaligned controls.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11016639B2Multiple outlet shower control

Publication Date: 2021.05.25 KOHLER MIRA LTD

AI summary

A reconfigurable bathing apparatus includes a first showerhead, the first showerhead being connected to a first fluid outlet; a second showerhead, the second showerhead being connected to a second fluid outlet; and a processor, the processor being arranged to control fluid flow through the first fluid outlet in response to a first control action and to control fluid flow through the second fluid outlet in response to a second control action. The processor is arranged to be able to receive and implement a request to reconfigure its response to the control actions such that the first control action controls the second fluid outlet and the second control action controls the first fluid outlet.