Rotating Spray Engine for Multi-Mode Shower with Integrated Elastomeric Seal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shower devices lack the ability to seamlessly transition between multiple spray modes without requiring complex mechanisms or large size, and often fail to provide efficient water distribution and aerated flow simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A multi-mode shower device with a rotatable spray engine featuring an elastomeric layer for grip and a modular design, incorporating a valve with mode isolators and integrated spill covers, and a spray face with multiple outlets arranged in an annular zone, allowing for continuous rotation between different spray modes, including aerated and non-aerated settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional shower devices use multiple separate mechanisms for different spray modes, then each spray mode can be achieved, but the device size and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple spray mode functions into a single integrated spray engine that can rotate to align different outlet configurations with the water supply. The spray engine integrates first and second outlets, inlet ports, and spray faces in one component, eliminating the need for separate mechanisms for each spray mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The spray engine is designed to be rotatable relative to the housing, allowing dynamic reconfiguration of the spray modes. By rotating the spray engine, different inlet ports align with the water supply to enable transition between first spray mode and second spray mode, providing adaptability without requiring multiple fixed mechanisms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional shower devices use complex mechanisms for mode switching, then multiple spray modes can be achieved, but the transition between modes becomes less smooth and more difficult to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable spray engine enables smooth continuous transition between spray modes through rotational movement. The user can simply rotate the spray engine to switch between first spray mode and second spray mode, providing an intuitive and smooth operating experience compared to complex discrete switching mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The spray engine serves multiple functions through a single rotational mechanism. One rotation of the spray engine can cycle through multiple spray modes (first spray mode, second spray mode, and potentially intermediate modes), making the device easier to operate while maintaining versatility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional shower devices provide multiple spray modes, then spray variety is achieved, but the ability to provide efficient water distribution and aerated flow simultaneously is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The spray engine is segmented into distinct outlet configurations (first outlets and second outlets) with different spray characteristics. The first spray mode provides efficient water distribution through first outlets, while the second spray mode provides aerated flow through second outlets. The segmentation allows each mode to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotational mechanism dynamically switches between different outlet configurations to optimize water distribution efficiency for each spray mode. When first spray mode is selected, the first outlets are positioned to maximize water distribution efficiency. When second spray mode is selected, the second outlets are positioned to maximize aerated flow efficiency.
4Adaptability or versatility
If conventional shower devices use larger size to accommodate multiple mechanisms, then more spray modes can be provided, but the device becomes bulkier and less compact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple spray mode mechanisms into a single compact spray engine, significantly reducing the overall device volume. The integrated design with rotatable spray engine and multiple outlets in one component allows the device to maintain versatility while being much more compact than conventional designs with separate mechanisms for each spray mode.
Data Source
AI summary
A shower device including a housing and a spray engine. The housing defines an inlet for a water supply. The spray engine includes an elastomeric layer providing a spray face and defining an outlet, a support layer having a first surface engaging the elastomeric layer and an opposite, second surface, the support layer defining a plurality of openings between the first surface and the second surface, material of the elastomeric layer extending axially through each of the plurality of openings to the second surface and radially over a portion of the second surface in a plurality of separate and individual flanges, the flanges providing an integrated seal on the second surface of the support layer. The elastomeric layer forms a continuous elastic coating covering the outer surfaces of the front and sides of the spray face and extending from the spray face through the openings to the second surface.