Shower Head Dial Button for Mode Switching and Water Stoppage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional shower heads with multiple outlet functions require an extra button for low volume water stoppage, making the structure complicated and difficult to use, with unclear operations increasing the learning cost.
Innovation Solution
A multifunctional shower head with a dial button that switches outlet modes by moving to one side for cyclic switching and to the other side for water stoppage, using independent switching and water stoppage fitting elements to achieve waterway switching and low volume water stoppage with minimal force required.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If a button is added to achieve low volume water stoppage function, then water saving performance is improved, but device complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the outlet mode switching function and water stoppage function into a single dial button component. The dial button component includes a switching fitting element for outlet mode switching and a water stoppage fitting element for water stoppage, both integrated into one button structure. This merging eliminates the need for separate buttons, reducing structural complexity while maintaining water saving functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The dial button is designed to perform multiple functions: it can switch between different outlet modes (shower mode, bath mode, etc.) and also control water stoppage. By making the dial button universal, the patent reduces the number of components needed and simplifies the overall structure while achieving both outlet switching and water conservation goals.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple buttons are used for different functions, then function versatility is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to unclear operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple control functions into a single dial button interface. The dial button can be rotated to different positions for outlet mode switching and pressed for water stoppage, providing a unified and clear operation method. This eliminates the confusion of multiple buttons with different functions, making the operation intuitive and easy to understand.
Solution Approach 2:
The dial button serves as a universal control interface for all shower head functions. Whether switching between shower mode, bath mode, or stopping water, all operations are performed through this single button, providing consistency and clarity in user interaction while maintaining versatile functionality.
3Device complexity
If switching fitting element and water stoppage fitting element are integrated, then device complexity is reduced, but water pressure transmission to water stoppage component is weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fitting elements into two independent parts: the switching fitting element for outlet mode switching and the water stoppage fitting element for water stoppage control. This segmentation allows water pressure to fully act on the water stoppage fitting element without being diluted by integration, ensuring effective force transmission while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The dial button acts as an intermediary that transmits user input to both the switching fitting element and water stoppage fitting element. When the user presses the dial button, the force is transmitted through the dial button component to the water stoppage fitting element, ensuring adequate water pressure transmission despite the integrated control interface.
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 provides a stable and simple operation with better hand feel, allowing for easy switching between outlet functions and water stoppage modes without conflicting functions, reducing the force needed to switch from stoppage to flowing mode, and ensuring convenient and smooth operation.
Implementation Method 1
the water stoppage fitting element is a cam coaxially linked to the dial button
Implementation Method 2
The one-way intermittent rotating element is disposed with a switching pawl and a ratchet wheel sleeved on the switching pawl. The internal periphery of the ratchet wheel is disposed with internal ratchets coupling to the switching pawl.
Implementation Method 3
The switching pawl seat is fixedly connected to a tension spring
Data Source
AI summary
A multifunctional shower head includes a shower head main body including a high-volume water inlet and at least two outlets; a dial button; a switching fitting and a water stoppage fitting respectively linked to the dial button; a cyclic switch including a water diversion plate and water diversion body having at least two outlets; and a water stoppage switch including a water stoppage valve. When the dial button rotates in a first direction, the water stoppage fitting moves away from the water stoppage switch, and the switching fitting abuts against the cyclic switch thus switching to connect a different outlet of the water diversion body. When the dial button rotates in a second direction, the switching fitting moves away from the cyclic switch, and the water stoppage fitting abuts against the water stoppage switch thus closing the high-volume water inlet to achieve water stoppage.