Shower Header Spray Nozzle Alignment and Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Shower header-type spraying systems face challenges with complex nozzle installation, misalignment of discharge orifices, and clogging due to solid particles, which complicates assembly, disassembly, and cleaning processes.
Innovation Solution
The design features spray nozzles with an integral outer threaded mounting ring, annular recess for an o-ring seal, and indicator notches for precise angular alignment, allowing for easier assembly and disassembly, and a cleaning brush mechanism for maintaining nozzle cleanliness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional multi-piece nozzle assembly is used, then nozzle can be secured in header, but assembly and disassembly becomes complex and difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the nozzle body, mounting ring, and sealing elements into a single integrated nozzle assembly. The mounting ring is formed as one piece with the nozzle body, eliminating the need for separate components. This merging reduces the number of parts from three (nozzle, gasket, locking ring) to essentially one unit, making assembly and disassembly much simpler while maintaining secure attachment through the threaded mounting ring.
2Reliability
If traditional nozzle mounting is used, then nozzle can be installed in header, but precise alignment of discharge orifices becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates asymmetric indicator notches on the mounting ring that provide visual alignment references. These notches are positioned at specific angular locations that correspond to the required orientation of discharge orifices. The asymmetric design with specific notch positions enables precise alignment during installation, ensuring that all discharge orifices are correctly oriented relative to each other and to the header, thereby achieving uniform spray patterns.
3Stability of the object's composition
If nozzles are hard to access for cleaning, then header structure is maintained, but cleaning and maintenance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the nozzle assembly as a separable component that can be easily removed from the header through the threaded mounting ring. This segmentation allows the nozzle to be independently accessed, removed, and cleaned without disassembling the entire header structure. The threaded connection enables simple screwing and unscrewing operations, making maintenance straightforward while preserving the integrity of the header body.
4Reliability
If multiple separate components are used, then nozzle can be secured and sealed, but handling and installation becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into a single nozzle assembly: the mounting ring provides both mechanical attachment (threaded connection) and sealing (integrated seal elements), while the indicator notches provide alignment guidance. This consolidation eliminates the need to handle and assemble separate gaskets, locking rings, and alignment markers, making the installation process much simpler and more efficient while maintaining reliable sealing and attachment.
Data Source
AI summary
A shower header spray device including an elongated spray header supporting a plurality of laterally spaced liquid spray nozzles each having a central dome formed with an elongated discharge orifice. The spray nozzles each are mounted in a respective pocket of the header, and an elongated rotatable cleaning brush assembly is provided for cleaning the discharge orifices of the spray nozzles. The spray nozzles each have an integrally formed externally threaded mounting ring which captively carries an annular sealing member, and the spray header pockets each are internally threaded for receiving respective spray nozzle screwed into the pocket with the annular sealing member interposed therebetween. The spray nozzles each have a pair of indicator notches to facilitate alignment of the elongated discharge orifices of the spray nozzles in common relation to a longitudinal axis of the spray header.