Multi-chamber Shower Head with Pressure-Actuated Check Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-chamber shower heads lack a novel and effective method to selectively control fluid supply to one or both groups of jet outlet openings, limiting user-adjustable shower spray characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A multi-chamber shower head design featuring a check valve element in the partition wall between fluid chambers, allowing fluid pressure-controlled opening and closing of passage openings for fluid communication between chambers, enabling operation in modes where fluid exits from either the first or both fluid chambers' jet outlet openings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a manually operated diverter valve is used to selectively direct water to different fluid chambers, then the user can control which jet outlet groups are active, but the device complexity increases due to the additional valve mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the water flow itself to activate the desired jet outlets. When water flows into the first fluid chamber, it automatically activates the first jet outlet group. When water flows into the second fluid chamber, it automatically activates the second jet outlet group. This eliminates the need for complex manual diverter valves while maintaining selective control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses fluid pressure control to selectively activate different fluid chambers. By directing water flow to specific chambers through hydraulic means, the system controls which jet outlet groups are active without requiring mechanical diverter valves, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining adaptability.
2Volume of moving object
If fluid chambers are arranged radially adjacent to each other, then the structure is compact, but the fluid flow path becomes complex and requires transverse redirection
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from radial arrangement to axial stacking of fluid chambers. The first and second fluid chambers are arranged one above the other in the axial direction, with water flowing downward from the distribution chamber into the first fluid chamber, then potentially into the second fluid chamber. This dimensional change simplifies the fluid flow path while maintaining compactness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines the fluid flow paths by allowing water to flow sequentially through multiple fluid chambers in series along the axial direction. The first fluid chamber and second fluid chamber are connected such that water can flow from one to the other, merging the flow paths into a unified axial flow pattern rather than requiring separate radial flow paths.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple passage openings are provided in the partition wall for fluid communication between chambers, then the fluid flow flexibility increases, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the flow control function from multiple precisely manufactured passage openings and relocates it to a manually operable switching device. The switching device selectively opens or closes fluid supply to different chambers, providing flow flexibility without requiring multiple precision passage openings in the partition wall. This reduces manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining adaptability.
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 allows for two distinct operating modes, enhancing fluidic and constructive efficiency by enabling fluid flow parallel to the axial direction and allowing for adjustable shower jet patterns by controlling fluid transfer between chambers, thereby improving user-adjustable shower spray characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
the passage opening is opened or closed by the check valve element depending on the fluid pressures prevailing in the first and second fluid chambers
Implementation Method 2
a check valve element for fluid pressure-controlled opening and closing is assigned
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a multi-chamber shower head with a housing (1) in which at least a first and a second fluid chamber (13, 14) are formed, which are separated from each other by a partition (17), a fluid supply control unit (8, 9, 10) for selectively supplying fluid to each of the fluid chambers and a jet disc (2) closing the housing on a fluid outlet side, which has at least a first (12a) and a second group (12b) of one or more jet outlet openings each, wherein the first group is in fluid communication with the first fluid chamber and the second group is in fluid communication with the second fluid chamber.According to the invention, the second fluid chamber borders the first fluid chamber at least partially in an overlapping area on the side of the first fluid chamber facing away from the jet disc, and the partition wall has at least one through-opening (18) in the overlapping area, to which a check valve element (19) is assigned for fluid pressure-controlled opening and closing. Use, for example, in sanitary shower heads.