Shower Head Active Substance Release Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shower systems with integrated active substance filters or cartridges suffer from uncontrolled and variable release of active substances over time, depending on usage and environmental conditions, making it difficult to achieve a consistent and targeted delivery of active ingredients during showering.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing flow-through containers such as capsules, filter bags, or pads within the shower head's receiving chamber for controlled release of active substances, ensuring a targeted and reproducible application by sealing the chamber watertight except for flow openings during showering, allowing for precise dosing and easy removal after use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If filter materials or gel filters are used in shower head for long-term active substance release, then the shower water contains active ingredients for extended periods, but the active substance release becomes uncontrolled and varies significantly over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the active substance release system into separate replaceable cartridges containing filter materials or gel filters. Each cartridge is a discrete unit that can be individually replaced, allowing precise control of the active substance release profile without affecting the entire shower head system. This segmentation enables standardized cartridges with controlled release characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs gel filters with specific gel matrices that control the release rate of active substances through diffusion and swelling mechanisms. By changing the gel composition, pore size, and cross-linking density, the release parameters can be precisely tuned to achieve consistent dosing over time, overcoming the uncontrolled release of traditional filter materials.
2Reliability
If sieve-like openings are made small and numerous to prevent agent falling out, then the cleaning or care product is retained in the shower head, but the active substance release remains uncontrolled and varies with usage patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses replaceable cartridges that contain the cleaning or care product in a controlled matrix structure. The cartridge itself acts as the containment mechanism rather than relying on sieve openings, eliminating the problem of uncontrolled release through the shower head while maintaining secure retention of the product.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs gel filters with controlled porosity that allow water to pass through while retaining and slowly releasing active substances. The gel matrix provides a controlled pore structure that enables consistent diffusion of active ingredients regardless of shower usage patterns, achieving both retention and controlled release.
3Reliability
If shower systems use full baths with bath additives for health and therapeutic effects, then the desired health benefits are achieved, but the water and time consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the therapeutic function from the full bath context and integrates it into the shower system. By incorporating active substances directly into the shower water through specialized filters and cartridges, the health and therapeutic effects are delivered during the shorter shower process, eliminating the need for water-intensive full baths while maintaining treatment effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the hydraulic flow of shower water to drive the active substance release mechanism. The water pressure and flow rate naturally control the diffusion and release of active ingredients from gel filters and cartridges, eliminating the need for additional energy input while delivering therapeutic doses during the shower.
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
Enables a controlled and consistent release of active ingredients during showering, independent of shower duration, reducing water and energy consumption while facilitating daily application with easier sanitation, and combining personal hygiene with health and body care.
Implementation Method 1
a shower head (10) is provided which has a receiving chamber (11) through which flow openings (12) can flow for an active substance administration
Data Source
AI summary
A controlled and targeted application of at least one active ingredient into water intended for showering the body of a living being, which flows through a shower head having a flowable intake chamber for the administration of the active ingredient, is achieved by using the administration of the active ingredient in the form of a flowable container for application, by opening the intake chamber before application, inserting the container and sealing the intake chamber watertight, and by removing the container after application.