Rotatable Shower Arm Design for Multi-Posture Water Spray Targeting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shower devices, such as overhead and handheld showers, face challenges in directing water to a user's desired body area, especially when the user is in different postures or positions, like sitting, due to fixed spray directions and limited adjustability.

Innovation Solution

A shower device with rotating shower arms that can be adjusted upward and downward independently, allowing for customizable water spray direction, integrated with a mixer tap connected to both handheld and overhead shower options, and including a folding chair for versatile use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If an overhead shower is used to supply water from above, then water can be supplied to the user, but it is difficult for the user to receive water spray at a desired portion of the body when sitting or positioned away from the shower

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of receiving water spray at desired body portionVSAvoidadaptability to different user postures and positions
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the shower arm rotatable and adjustable. The shower arm can be rotated upward and downward to change the spray direction dynamically, allowing the fixed overhead shower structure to adapt to different user positions and postures. This resolves the contradiction by enabling the shower to serve both standing and sitting users effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the shower system into a fixed overhead shower unit and a separate adjustable shower arm with nozzles. This segmentation allows the shower arm to be independently positioned and oriented, providing flexibility to target specific body portions regardless of user posture, while the main shower structure remains fixed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If a handheld shower is used to allow user movement and target desired body portions, then the user can receive water spray at desired locations, but the user must hold the shower head by hand making it less easy-to-use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to target desired body portionsVSAvoidease of use without manual holding
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the self-service principle by designing the shower arm to automatically position and orient itself to provide water spray to the user. The rotatable shower arm with multiple nozzles self-adjusts to cover the user's body, eliminating the need for manual holding and positioning while maintaining the ability to target desired body portions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The shower arm is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a fixed spray source when rotated to overhead position and as a movable spray source when rotated to side positions. This universal design allows the same structure to fulfill multiple functions: providing water for standing users, sitting users, and targeting various body portions without requiring separate handheld devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If the shower arm is fixed in position, then the structure is simple, but the user cannot receive water spray at desired body portions when in different postures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidadaptability to different postures
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces minimal dynamic elements into the otherwise simple fixed structure. The shower arm incorporates rotation joints that allow upward and downward movement, enabling the structure to adapt to different user postures while maintaining overall structural simplicity and avoiding complex mechanical systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2896338B1Shower unit
Publication Date: 2020.11.04 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP2896338B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2896338B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2896338B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The shower device in accordance with the present invention includes a fixture to be fixed to a wall of a bathroom, and at least one shower arm attached to the fixture to be allowed to be rotated in an upward and downward direction. The at least one shower arm includes a plurality of shower nozzles arranged in a length direction of the at least one shower arm. The shower arm is configured to be allowed to be rotated around an axis parallel to the length direction.