Shower Head Valve Grouping for High-Pressure Alternating Jets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Shower heads that provide powerful jets over a large area without increasing water consumption, while creating an interesting jet pattern for the user, are not effectively addressed by existing technologies.
Innovation Solution
A shower head design featuring at least two groups of jet outlet openings with valve closing bodies that open and close all openings in a group continuously, allowing for synchronous or alternate operation, increasing pressure and creating powerful jets by shutting off entire groups, and an adjustable device to change the association between valve closing bodies and jet outlet openings, influencing the main jet direction and pattern.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple jet outlet openings are operated simultaneously to provide coverage over a large area, then the shower area coverage is improved, but the water pressure and jet power decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by operating jet outlet openings in alternating groups rather than simultaneously. The jet outlet openings are divided into multiple groups that are activated sequentially, creating a pulsating jet effect. This periodic operation allows each group to receive full water pressure while still providing comprehensive area coverage over time, resolving the contradiction between coverage area and jet power.
2Stress or pressure
If water flow is reduced to increase pressure for powerful jets, then jet power is improved, but the shower area coverage decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the jet outlet openings into multiple groups that can be operated independently. By dividing the total number of jet outlets into separate controllable groups, the system can activate all groups over time to achieve full area coverage, while each individual group receives concentrated water flow for high pressure and powerful jets. This segmentation resolves the contradiction between pressure and coverage area.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic action to cycle through different groups of jet outlet openings. While one group is active with high pressure, other groups are deactivated, allowing water pressure to build. This periodic switching ensures that all areas are covered over time while maintaining high pressure during each activation cycle, thus resolving the trade-off between pressure and coverage.
3Stress or pressure
If valve closing bodies are used to shut off groups of jet outlet openings to increase pressure, then jet power is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The turbine serves multiple functions: it provides the driving force for the reduction gear mechanism and simultaneously acts as the valve closing body that directly blocks the jet outlet openings. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate actuating mechanisms for each valve, reducing overall device complexity while still achieving the pressure increase needed for powerful jets.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the turbine and valve closing bodies into a single integrated component. The turbine blades are designed to function both as energy conversion elements and as physical barriers that can block jet outlet openings when positioned appropriately. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate parts and simplifies the overall device structure while maintaining the ability to control water pressure.
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
This design achieves powerful jets without additional water consumption, offering customizable and visually appealing patterns by adjusting the valve closing bodies' interaction with the jet outlet openings, enhancing user experience through varied spray patterns and increased pressure.
Implementation Method 1
a turbine, which is connected to the jet outlet body via a reduction gear
Implementation Method 2
a reduction gear (EP 676241)
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~7
Figure 8~11
AI summary
A shower head comprises a valve device with a valve chamber (9), in which at least two valve closure bodies (8) are arranged in a moveable way. The valve closure bodies (8) interact with valve openings (15) that lead to the jet discharge openings (3) of the jet disk (2) of the housing. The valve closure bodies (8) are driven by a drive for continuously opening and closing the valve openings leading to the jet discharge openings (3), said drive being driven by the water flowing through the shower head. An adjusting device (6) is provided, with which the pattern of the jet pattern can be adjusted by hand.