Shower Assembly Elevated Water Inlet to Reduce Residual Dripping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional shower assemblies experience prolonged dripping of residual water after the water temperature regulating valve is closed, leading to water waste and a diminished user experience.

Innovation Solution

A shower assembly design featuring a second water passage with a sealing member that opens under water pressure and closes due to its resilience, preventing residual water from flowing into the shower head, thereby reducing dripping time and water waste.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If the water temperature regulating valve set is closed, then water supply is stopped, but residual water continues to drip from the shower head for a long time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater wasteVSAvoiddripping time
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the residual water from the system by providing a dedicated drainage path (second water passage) that leads to a collection container, separating the residual water removal function from the main water supply system. This allows residual water to be quickly drained without affecting the main water supply function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary component (drainage valve or check valve) that controls the flow of residual water through the second water passage. This intermediary mechanism enables rapid drainage of residual water while preventing backflow, thereby reducing both water waste and dripping time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of time

If a drainage path is added for residual water, then dripping time is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedripping timeVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the drainage function with existing components in the shower assembly. The second water passage is integrated into the spray pipe or shower head structure, and the drainage path combines with the valve mechanism already present in the water temperature regulating valve set, thereby reducing the need for entirely separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The valve mechanism in the water temperature regulating valve set is designed to serve multiple functions: controlling the main water supply and managing residual water drainage. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated drainage components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.

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

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 design significantly reduces residual water dripping from the shower head, conserving water resources and enhancing user experience by efficiently managing the drainage of residual water.

Implementation Method 1

the sealing member is capable of opening the second water passage under the action of water pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWater pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

the sealing member is capable of closing the second water passage under the action of its own resilience

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectResilience: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3995634B1Shower assembly
Publication Date: 2023.05.10 FUJIAN DOMOO SANITARY WARE TECHNOLOGY CO LTD
  • EP3995634B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3995634B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3995634B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The disclosure provides a shower assembly, comprising: a pipeline having a water supply passage (110) and an installation cavity (240), a communication port (250) arranged on a side wall of the cavity (240) and connecting the water supply passage (110) with the cavity (240); an installation member (300), having a first water passage (310), is installed in the cavity (240), a water inlet of the first passage (310) being higher than the water supply passage (110) and communicating with the port (250); and a shower head (600) installed on the cavity (240), a water outlet of the first passage (310) communicating with the shower head (600). The water inlet of the first water passage is arranged higher than the water supply passage, so that the residual water in the water supply passage is cut off at the water inlet of the first water passage and cannot flow into the shower head along the first water passage, and the residual water dripping from the shower head is greatly reduced, which not only saves water resource, but also improves the user's experience.