Retractable Shower Hose Drying Sweep and In-Wall Drip Tray

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Solution Overview

Problem

Retractable shower hose systems often leave unsightly hoses exposed and pose safety risks, and existing retractable devices fail to effectively manage water droplets that collect on the hose during showering, allowing them to drip into the retraction space and potentially cause water damage.

Innovation Solution

A hidden extendable and retractable shower hose system equipped with a drying sweep/squeegee and an in-wall drip tray, where the drying sweep/squeegee clears water from the hose as it retracts and directs it back into the shower via a pitched drip pan and trim plate slit, preventing water from dripping into the retraction space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a retractable shower hose system is used to eliminate exposed hoses, then aesthetic appearance and safety are improved, but water droplets collecting on the hose during showering drip into the retraction space causing potential water damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater damage riskVSAvoidwater containment reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A drying sweep component is introduced as an intermediary element between the retractable hose and the retraction space. This sweep actively removes water droplets from the hose surface during retraction, preventing them from reaching the wall cavity. The sweep acts as a mediator that transfers water from the hose to a controlled drainage path, resolving the contradiction between hose retraction benefits and water damage prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system converts the harmful effect of water collecting on the hose into a beneficial drainage mechanism. The pitched bottom of the trim plate creates a controlled water flow path that directs collected water through a slit back into the shower area. What was previously a problem (water accumulation on the hose) becomes a controlled water management feature that prevents uncontrolled dripping into the wall space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Adaptability or versatility

If an external movable showerhead with exposed hose is used, then flexibility and mobility are improved, but aesthetic appearance deteriorates and safety risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshowerhead flexibilityVSAvoidaesthetic spoilage and injury risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The retractable hose system implements a nesting principle where the hose is stored within a wall-mounted housing when not in use. The hose extends from the wall connection point to the showerhead and then retracts back into the wall cavity. This nesting approach eliminates the visual clutter of exposed hoses while maintaining full functionality, resolving the contradiction between mobility and aesthetic appearance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Ease of operation

If water is allowed to drain freely from the retractable hose, then ease of operation is improved, but water damage risk to the retraction space increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehose retraction easeVSAvoidwater damage to wall space

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The drying sweep serves as a mediator between the hose and the retraction space, intercepting water droplets during the retraction process. The sweep is positioned to contact the hose surface and actively remove water, converting uncontrolled dripping into controlled water removal. This maintains ease of operation while preventing water damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary water removal action during the retraction process itself. The drying sweep is engaged with the hose throughout retraction, proactively removing water before the hose fully enters the wall cavity. This preliminary action prevents water from being deposited into the wall space, resolving the contradiction between operational ease and water damage prevention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 maintains a dry and aesthetically pleasing shower area by ensuring water is redirected back into the shower, reducing the risk of water damage and enhancing safety by preventing loose hoses from causing injuries.

Implementation Method 1

a drying sweep/squeegee preferably with flexible finger-like extension that each extend radially toward a common center

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

a drip pan that has an downwardly inclined or pitched bottom to terminate at a front edge

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS10801194B2Retractable hose with drying sweep and in-wall drip tray

Publication Date: 2020.10.13 MEEHAN KATHLEEN MARY

AI summary

A drying sweep/squeegee to remove excess water from a hose in a shower and an in-wall drip pan to catch the excess water so removes as the hose passes through the drying sweep/squeegee. The in-wall drip pan has a bottom incline that is pitched and terminates at an edge, which edge aligns with a slit in a trim plate so that the water flow is down the incline of the in-wall drip pan and into and through the slit in the trim plate. The trim plate has a hollow interior into which is fitted the drying-sweep/squeegee.