Shower Head Bladder Attachment to Reduce Hot Water Delivery Delay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Residential plumbing systems experience delays in delivering hot water due to cooled water in hot water lines, leading to inconvenient and uncomfortable shower experiences.
Innovation Solution
A shower head attachment comprising a perforated tube, an expandable bladder, and a release valve is installed in the shower head feed line, where cooled water is stored in the bladder and then mixed with hot water to achieve a more temperate temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If hot water lines are used to deliver hot water to the shower head, then hot water can be stored and delivered on demand, but the water cools down over time in the lines causing temperature inconsistency and delay
Solution Approach 1:
The expandable bladder stores cooled water that has been diverted from the hot water line before hot water is needed. When the shower is activated, this pre-stored cooled water is released first to displace the hot water through the lines, eliminating the delay and temperature inconsistency that would otherwise occur while waiting for hot water to arrive.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooled water stored in the expandable bladder acts as an intermediary substance that displaces the hot water in the lines. By releasing this cooled water first, the system creates a buffer that pushes the hot water through the delivery lines quickly, solving the temperature and timing issue without requiring the hot water to travel slowly through the entire line.
2Loss of time
If cooled water is diverted from the hot water line to be released through the shower head, then hot water delivery delay is eliminated, but the water temperature becomes too cold for comfortable bathing
Solution Approach 1:
The release valve operates periodically based on water flow detection. When the shower valve is opened and water flow is detected, the release valve opens to discharge the stored cooled water. Once the cooled water is depleted and hot water begins to flow into the bladder, the release valve automatically closes, creating a periodic cycle that ensures hot water is delivered at the correct temperature.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses water flow detection as feedback to control the release valve. When cooled water is being discharged and hot water begins to enter the bladder, the change in flow conditions triggers the release valve to close, preventing excessive cooled water from reaching the shower head and ensuring the water temperature remains comfortable for bathing.
3Loss of time
If an expandable bladder is installed in the shower head feed line to store cooled water, then hot water delivery delay is resolved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The expandable bladder uses a flexible membrane structure that can expand and contract based on water volume. This flexible shell design eliminates the need for complex rigid tanks, valves, and mounting structures, significantly reducing device complexity while still providing the necessary water storage and displacement functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The bladder transitions from a static component to a dynamic one that automatically expands when cooled water is stored and contracts when hot water fills it. This dynamic behavior eliminates the need for mechanical actuators, pumps, or complex control mechanisms, simplifying the overall system while resolving the hot water delivery delay.
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 solution ensures continuous and more comfortable water temperature delivery by storing cooled water in the expandable bladder and mixing it with hot water, reducing the delay in hot water delivery.
Implementation Method 1
The perforated tube is contained within the expandable bladder such that water flows through perforations formed in the perforated tube will be contained and stored within the expandable bladder
Implementation Method 2
When the release valve is closed and the shower valve is opened, the pressure of the hot water line of the residential plumbing system forces the cooled water stored within the hot water line into the expandable bladder where the cooled water is stored
Implementation Method 3
the hot water mixes with the cooled water stored in the expandable bladder thereby creating a more temperate water temperature
Implementation Method 4
the hot water mixes with the cooled water stored in the expandable bladder thereby creating a more temperate water temperature
Data Source
AI summary
The shower head attachment is installed in a shower head feed line The shower head attachment comprises a perforated tube, an expandable bladder, and a release valve. The release valve is installed between the perforated tube and the shower head. The perforated tube is contained within the expandable bladder. Water that flows through perforations of the perforated tube is stored within the expandable bladder. When the release valve is closed and the shower valve is opened, the pressure of the hot water line of the residential plumbing system forces cooled stored within the hot water line into the expandable bladder. The release valve is opened enabling the continued flow hot water into the perforated tube where the hot water mixes with the cooled water creating a more temperate water temperature that is released through the shower head.