Showerhead Assembly with Retractable Ancillary Nozzles

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional showerheads lack flexibility in spray direction and require expensive plumbing modifications, making it difficult for users to adjust spray patterns and locations within a shower stall.

Innovation Solution

A showerhead assembly with a primary showerhead and ancillary showerheads connected by flexible hoses, allowing users to affix and move nozzles throughout the shower stall without requiring extensive architectural changes, using spools, ratchet assemblies, and magnets for easy deployment and retraction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If wall nozzles are added to provide spray variety at different locations, then spray location flexibility is improved, but installation cost increases due to expensive plumbing modifications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespray location flexibilityVSAvoidinstallation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The shower system is divided into a stationary primary showerhead and multiple detachable ancillary nozzles. The ancillary nozzles can be independently positioned and attached to different locations within the shower stall using flexible hoses, eliminating the need for permanent plumbing modifications at each location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The ancillary nozzles are designed to be movable and repositionable rather than fixed. The flexible hoses allow the nozzles to be dynamically positioned at various locations and angles, providing spray flexibility without requiring permanent installation infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If handheld showerhead is used to adjust spray location and angle, then spray positioning flexibility is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates because user must hold the showerhead with hands

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespray positioning flexibilityVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The shower system separates the primary fixed showerhead from multiple detachable ancillary nozzles. Users can attach a nozzle to the flexible hose and secure it to the shower stall surface, freeing both hands for applying soap or shampoo while maintaining spray positioning flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The ancillary nozzles are designed to be self-positioning and self-securing. Users simply attach the nozzle to the flexible hose and press it against the shower stall surface where it stays in place without requiring continuous manual holding, making the system easier to operate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional multifunction showerhead with selector dial is used, then spray pattern variety is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates for persons with soapy hands

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespray pattern varietyVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of a single multifunction showerhead requiring manual operation of selectors, the system divides functionality across multiple specialized nozzles. Each nozzle is designed for specific spray patterns, and users can attach the appropriate nozzle to the flexible hose based on their needs, eliminating the need to operate selectors with soapy hands.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enables users to adjust the spray direction and location of showerheads within a shower stall without expensive modifications, improving user convenience and reducing installation costs.

Implementation Method 1

The flexible hose is wrapped around a spool in a manner that allows the flexible hose to be retractable and extendable relative to the showerhead's body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical winding:

Implementation Method 2

each ancillary showerhead includes a magnet for affixing the ancillary showerhead to a shower stall wall

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetism: Magnetism

Implementation Method 3

The showerhead assembly includes a ratchet assembly which selectively allows rotation of the spool in one direction but which prevents rotation of the spool in the opposite direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRatchet mechanism: Ratchet

Implementation Method 4

the showerhead assembly includes a spring for biasing the spool into the wound condition

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS10232384B2Showerhead assembly with retractable and extendable ancillary nozzles

Publication Date: 2019.03.19 ETL LLC

AI summary

A showerhead assembly is provided having a primary showerhead and one or more retractable and extendable ancillary showerheads. The showerhead assembly includes a showerhead body having a central conduit for transporting water to the primary showerhead's nozzles. In addition, the showerhead body includes one or more ancillary conduits for transporting water to one or more ancillary showerheads. The ancillary showerheads are connected to the showerhead body by flexible hoses which can be extended or retracted from the showerhead body.