Rotatable Control Disk Shower Head for Variable Jet Patterns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shower heads require complex mechanisms and multiple movable jet outlet elements to change shower jet characteristics over time, which increases the number of parts and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A shower head design where the control slot pattern and inlet openings are matched to alternately release and block inlet openings, using non-parallel through-channels to provide different jet exit directions without the need for complex movable jet outlet elements, achieving variability through periodic alternating blocking and unblocking of adjacent inlet openings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple movable jet outlet elements are used to change shower jet characteristics, then the shower jet variability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet openings are divided into multiple groups, with each group associated with a specific outlet opening. Each group can be independently controlled to be released or blocked, allowing different combinations of inlet openings to supply water to outlet openings, thereby generating different shower jet characteristics without requiring multiple movable jet outlet elements
Solution Approach 2:
The control disk is pre-configured with control slots at specific positions and orientations before operation. These pre-positioned control slots determine which inlet opening groups are released or blocked based on the control disk's rotational position, enabling predetermined shower jet patterns to be achieved through simple rotation rather than complex real-time adjustments of multiple movable elements
2Adaptability or versatility
If a complex drive mechanism is used to control movable jet outlet elements, then the shower jet characteristics can be changed, but the ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The control disk is designed to rotate dynamically to different positions, with each rotational position corresponding to a specific shower jet characteristic. This dynamic rotation of a single control element replaces the need for multiple movable jet outlet elements and their complex drive mechanisms, significantly simplifying manufacturing while maintaining the ability to vary shower jet characteristics
Solution Approach 2:
The control disk serves multiple functions: it controls the release and blocking of multiple inlet opening groups simultaneously, determines the active outlet openings, and defines the shower jet patterns through its rotational position. This single multi-functional component replaces what would otherwise require multiple specialized movable elements and their complex coordination mechanisms
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
This design allows for a simple and efficient change in shower jet characteristics over time with fewer parts, providing different jet patterns through the alternating release and blocking of inlet openings, reducing the need for complex mechanisms and multiple movable elements.
Implementation Method 1
a control disk (2), which is arranged in the direction of fluid flow in front of the jet disk (4) so that it can rotate relative to it
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~5
Figure 6
AI summary
The invention relates to a shower head which has a jet disk (4), with inlet openings (8) on one disk side and outlet openings (9) on the other disk side (4b) and with in each case one passage duct (10a, 10b) for fluidically connecting each outlet opening to at least one inlet opening, and a control disk (2) which is arranged upstream of the jet disk as viewed in the fluid flow direction and is rotatable relative to said jet disk and has a control slot pattern (131, 134) for opening up the inlet openings in a manner dependent on the rotational position of the control disk. According to the invention, the control slot pattern and the inlet openings are coordinated with one another such that, when the control disk is rotating relative to the jet disk, two adjacent inlet openings (8a, 8b) that correspond with a common outlet opening (9) via two passage ducts (10a, 10b) with non-parallel side walls (12a, 12b) for providing two different jet outlet directions (Sa, Sb), or two regions of an inlet opening that corresponds with an outlet opening via a passage duct with non-parallel side wall regions for providing two different jet outlet directions, or two adjacent inlet openings that correspond with two adjacent outlet openings, are opened up in alternating fashion. The invention also relates to the use thereof, for example, for sanitary showers.