Shower
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shower systems use high water volumes to produce continuous streams of water, failing to simulate the sound and feel of rain, and do not efficiently manage water flow rates to provide a satisfying shower experience at lower flow rates.
Innovation Solution
A shower assembly with a panel featuring a reservoir and holes that allow water to flow through by gravity, forming discrete drops, and a control system to manage flow rates and distribute water through different outlets, including a stopper mechanism to switch between drop and stream modes, along with a control system for flow, temperature, audio, lighting, and scent emission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional shower systems force water through nozzle holes to create continuous streams, then water flow is provided, but high volume of water is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments continuous water flow into discrete droplets by controlling water to pass through multiple small holes in a panel, where surface tension and gravity cause the water to break into individual droplets rather than forming continuous streams. This segmentation allows for reduced water consumption while maintaining shower experience satisfaction through the rain-like droplet pattern.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional shower systems provide continuous streams of water, then water delivery is achieved, but the sound and feel of rain is not simulated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of water delivery by controlling flow rate and hole diameter to transition from continuous streams to discrete droplets. By adjusting these parameters, the system simulates natural rain characteristics including sound and feel, without requiring complex additional mechanisms beyond the panel with controlled holes.
3Productivity
If water is provided at high flow rates to create satisfying shower experience, then shower performance is improved, but water efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic action by creating intermittent droplet release rather than continuous flow. Water passes through the panel holes in a rhythmic pattern where droplets form, detach, and fall in sequence, providing a satisfying shower experience through the rain-like pattern while significantly reducing overall water consumption compared to continuous streaming.
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 shower assembly effectively reduces water usage while providing a realistic rain-like experience by managing flow rates and distributing water as discrete drops or streams, enhancing user satisfaction and water efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
water passes through the first plurality of holes by gravitational force, forms a drop at the outlet of each of the first plurality of holes
Implementation Method 2
water passes through the first plurality of holes, forms a drop at the outlet of each of the first plurality of holes, and falls from the panel as a plurality of drops
Data Source
AI summary
A shower assembly includes a panel and a stopper movable between a first position and a second position. The panel includes a first region having a plurality of first openings passing through the panel and a second region having a plurality of second openings passing through the panel. When the stopper is in the first position, water provided to the shower assembly is permitted to pass through the plurality of first openings but is prevented from passing through the plurality of second openings. When the stopper is in the second position, water provided to the shower assembly is permitted to pass through the plurality of second openings.