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 realistic feel and sound of rain, which some users prefer.
Innovation Solution
A shower assembly with a panel featuring a reservoir and strategically designed holes that allow water to flow through, forming discrete drops that fall like rain, along with a movable stopper to control flow rates and modes, enabling users to select between drop and stream outputs.
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 water volume consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The shower system segments the continuous water stream into discrete droplets by forcing water through multiple small nozzle holes (e.g., 300-500 holes per square foot). Each nozzle creates individual droplets that fall separately, simulating rain. This segmentation allows the system to use less total water while maintaining shower satisfaction through the rain-like experience.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical parameters of water delivery by controlling droplet size (through nozzle diameter selection), droplet formation rate, and fall distance. By optimizing these parameters—such as using nozzle diameters of 0.5-2.0mm and controlling water pressure to create droplets 2-10mm in diameter—the system achieves rain simulation with reduced water consumption compared to traditional continuous streams.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional shower systems provide continuous streams of water, then water delivery is achieved, but the feel and sound of rain is not simulated
Solution Approach 1:
The panel is segmented into multiple nozzle units distributed across its surface. Each nozzle acts as an independent droplet generator, and collectively they create the rain effect. This segmentation of the delivery mechanism enables rain simulation while keeping each individual nozzle simple in structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The panel incorporates a porous or multi-opening structure with numerous small holes (nozzles) distributed across its surface. This porous-like configuration allows water to emerge at multiple points simultaneously, creating the rain effect. The panel's structure resembles a porous medium through which fluid passes, achieving rain simulation without complex mechanical components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the number of nozzle holes is increased to improve rain effect, then water distribution is enhanced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The panel uses a porous structure with multiple small openings that can be manufactured using standard porous material fabrication techniques. This approach allows for high numbers of holes (300-500 per square foot) without requiring exceptional manufacturing precision, as the porous structure naturally accommodates variations in hole size and position while maintaining the rain effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves rain effect with moderate manufacturing precision by optimizing parameters such as nozzle diameter (0.5-2.0mm), hole density (300-500 per square foot), and water pressure. By selecting appropriate parameter ranges, the system tolerates normal manufacturing variations while still producing satisfactory rain simulation, avoiding the need for ultra-precise hole placement.
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 provides a satisfying shower experience at lower flow rates, mimicking the feel of rain while allowing for efficient water use and customizable flow settings.
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, and falls from the panel as a plurality of drops
Data Source
AI summary
A shower assembly includes an inlet port, a reservoir, and a plurality of drop outlet ports. The inlet port receives water from a water source at an inlet flow rate. The reservoir receives water from the inlet port, and is not pressurized by a line pressure of the water source even when the reservoir receives the water at a maximum inlet flow rate of up to 2.5 gallons per minute. Each of the plurality of drop outlet ports is configured such that water passes from the reservoir through the plurality of drop outlet ports, forms a drop at each drop outlet port, and falls from each drop outlet port by gravity only as discrete drops of water. A total flow capacity of the plurality of drop outlet ports is greater than or equal to the maximum inlet flow rate.