Shower Head Handle Control Lever for Water Flow Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems for controlling water flow between fixed and movable shower heads require users to bend to operate the valve, making it inconvenient for some users.
Innovation Solution
A control system with a control lever located on the handle of the movable shower head, utilizing a three-way member and a control mechanism with seal members and a rotatable block member to direct water flow between the fixed and movable shower heads, allowing easy operation of water flow switching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the valve is located at a lower position to control water flow between fixed and movable shower heads, then the water flow control function is achieved, but the user convenience deteriorates as users have to bend to operate the valve
Solution Approach 1:
The control function is extracted from the lower valve position and relocated to the movable shower head handle. The control lever is integrated into the handle assembly, allowing users to operate the water flow control at a higher, more convenient position without bending, while the lower valve remains in its original position for structural reasons.
Solution Approach 2:
A control lever is introduced as an intermediary mechanism between the user's hand and the water flow control system. The control lever rotates within the handle and connects to the lower valve through the water flow control mechanism, transmitting the user's rotational motion to control water distribution between the fixed and movable shower heads.
2Ease of operation
If a control mechanism is integrated into the movable shower head handle, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components like control lever, block member, and seal members
Solution Approach 1:
The control mechanism components (control lever, block member, seal members) are merged into a single integrated assembly that fits within the movable shower head handle. The control lever rotates within the block member, which contains the seal members, creating a compact unified structure that provides full water flow control functionality without requiring separate distributed components.
Solution Approach 2:
The control lever is nested within the block member, which itself is contained within the handle assembly. The seal members are nested within the block member's through path. This nested arrangement allows multiple functional components to be housed within the limited space of the handle while maintaining operational accessibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A shower head assembly includes a first shower head connected to a pipe and a three-way member is connected to the pipe. The three-way member communicates with the pipe, the first shower head and a hose which is connected to a second shower head. A tube is fixedly received in the three-way member and in communication between two paths respectively which are in communication with the first shower head and the hose. A rod is movably inserted in the tube and has two seal members on two ends thereof. A control mechanism is connected to the handle of the second shower head and able to cause the change of water pressure to move the rod such that the user can operate the control mechanism on the handle of the second shower head to control the water flow.