Shower Head Radial Chamber Segmentation for Compact Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shower heads have complex designs that result in a large overall height and weight, with intricate cross-sectional shapes and multiple components, making them difficult to manufacture and assemble, while also lacking aesthetic appeal.

Innovation Solution

A shower head design featuring a single-piece handle and support element integrated with the cover hood, allowing for a radial flow path and multiple chambers to be controlled by a common inlet element, with connecting channels and nozzle inserts for simplified assembly and aesthetic benefits, enabling a compact, lightweight, and easy-to-manufacture structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a complex multi-level structure with intermediate distributor is used, then multiple shower jet types can be provided, but the overall height and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshower jet typesVSAvoidstructure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shower head is divided into multiple functional chambers (central chamber and annular chambers) that are radially arranged around a common axis. Each chamber can be independently controlled by a separate inlet element, allowing different shower jet types to be provided without requiring a complex multi-level intermediate distributor structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a vertical multi-level structure with intermediate distributors, the patent employs a radial arrangement of chambers around a central axis. This dimensional change from vertical stacking to radial distribution eliminates the need for complex intermediate distributor levels while maintaining the ability to provide multiple shower jet types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If double-walled constructions with water openings arranged one behind the other are used, then functional zones can be defined, but the structure becomes complex and weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional zonesVSAvoidshower head weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The shower head housing is divided into distinct functional chambers (central chamber and annular chambers) that are radially arranged. Each chamber can be independently controlled and contains nozzle openings for different shower jet types, eliminating the need for complex double-walled constructions while maintaining functional zone differentiation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If a single-piece integrated handle and support element is used, then manufacturing simplicity and compactness are improved, but assembly precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidassembly precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The handle and support element are merged into a single integrated component that is formed as one piece. This consolidation simplifies manufacturing by reducing the number of separate parts that need to be assembled, while the radial arrangement of chambers and inlet elements maintains the necessary precision for water-tight connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP1944089B1Shower head with several function zones
Publication Date: 2017.05.17 KLUDI
  • EP1944089B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1944089B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1944089B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The sprinkler head (200, 300) with multiple functional zones and comprises a housing (210, 310) whose base (212, 312) in each functional zone has a number of nozzle openings (213, 313) with the water supply being manually selectable in the functional zones via at least one supply element (250, 350, 350?). The housing is built as a hollow body with separating walls (214, 215; 314, 315) extending from the base to the covering (211, 311) and creating several chambers (201, 202, 203; 301, 302, 303).