Shower control system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional shower control systems lack direct and accurate adjustment of water temperature and volume, often requiring excessive force for changes and being inconvenient to operate during use.
Innovation Solution
A shower control system featuring a controller and control panel with stepper motors for precise temperature and volume control, a pressure-balanced valve for equal water pressure, and a user-friendly interface with digital and analog displays for mode selection and adjustment, allowing for intuitive operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If mechanical switches are used to adjust water temperature and volume, then the device structure is simple, but the adjustment accuracy is poor and requires excessive force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical switches with an electrical control system comprising a control box, stepper motors, and electronic valves. The control box receives electrical signals to precisely control the stepper motors, which in turn adjust the mixing water valve and outlet valve positions accurately without requiring excessive manual force, thereby achieving high adjustment accuracy while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs electronic parameters (electrical signals, motor rotation angles, valve opening degrees) to control water temperature and volume adjustments. By changing the control parameters such as stepper motor step angles and valve opening percentages, the system achieves precise control over water flow characteristics without the imprecision of mechanical linkages.
2Measurement precision
If electrical controllers with multiple buttons are used to adjust temperature and volume, then the adjustment accuracy is improved, but the operation convenience deteriorates during showering
Solution Approach 1:
The control panel integrates multiple functions into a unified interface that can control both temperature and volume adjustments, select different outlet terminals, and store preset configurations. This multi-functional design allows users to perform all necessary shower controls through a single panel without needing to manipulate separate buttons for each function, greatly improving operation convenience while maintaining precise control capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates preset modes that pre-configure optimal temperature and volume settings for different shower scenarios. Users can select from pre-programmed configurations rather than manually adjusting multiple parameters, which simplifies operation during showering while still providing accurate control when custom adjustments are needed.
3Shape
If the controller is concealed to maintain elegant appearance, then the aesthetic value is improved, but the accessibility for operation may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The control panel is extracted as a separate, wall-mounted interface from the concealed controller housing. This allows the controller body to remain hidden for aesthetic purposes while the control panel with all operational elements (buttons, display, knobs) is positioned on the wall surface for easy access and visibility during showering, effectively separating the aesthetic function from the operational function.
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 system provides accurate, quick, and safe temperature and volume adjustments with a visually simple and direct operation, concealing the controller while maintaining an elegant appearance, and reducing the risk of electrical issues with embedded power sources.
Implementation Method 1
two chambers of the pressure balanced valve are connected to a mixing water chamber of a temperature control valve respectively through a cool water inlet hole and a hot water inlet hole
Implementation Method 2
the temperature control valve is controlled by a first stepper motor to adjust the water area of the cool water inlet hole and the hot water inlet hole
Implementation Method 3
the first outlet and the second outlet are respectively disposed with an electromagnetic valve to control to close and open
Data Source
AI summary
A shower control system has a controller and a control panel. The control panel includes a knob. The top surface of the knob has an inner ring and an outer ring; the outer ring has outlet buttons corresponding to a first outlet and a second outlet; when the outlet button is touched, the circuit of the controller sends a signal to the electromagnetic valve to open the first outlet or the second outlet; the inner ring is disposed with a display screen with a temperature displaying area, a volume displaying area, a temperature adjusting mode icon, a volume adjusting mode icon and a lock mode icon; when the knob is long pressed, the control panel is open, the inner ring lights up; the temperature displaying area, the volume displaying area of the displayer screen respectively displays the temperature and volume last used, and the lock mode icon is selected.