Shower Nozzle Pulsation Stability via Uniform Backflow Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Shower apparatuses with aerated bubbly water experience unstable pulsation due to non-uniform backflow water distribution, leading to varying phases and periods of pulsation across different nozzle holes, which affects user comfort.
Innovation Solution
A shower apparatus design with a water supply unit, throttle unit, aeration unit, and pulsation imparting unit, where the pulsation imparting unit periodically changes the main water stream direction and air mixture in the aeration unit, and the internal space is divided into small spaces with uniform channel resistance to ensure consistent backflow and stable pulsation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If water is aerated to produce bubbly water, then water usage is reduced, but stimulus sensation on user skin is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by introducing pulsation to the bubbly water flow. The pulsation is generated by periodically varying the backflow water amount that forms a swirl, causing periodic changes in the main water stream direction and air mixture. This periodic variation restores stimulus sensation while maintaining the water-saving benefit of aeration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by designing a system where the pulsation is generated automatically without external control mechanisms. The backflow water itself forms a swirl that periodically changes the main water stream direction, creating self-induced pulsation. This eliminates the need for separate pumps or control systems.
2Device complexity
If a simple configuration is used for pulsation generation, then device complexity is reduced, but pulsation stability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the internal space into multiple independent flow paths. Each flow path has its own throttle unit and aeration unit, ensuring that backflow water from different directions is uniformly distributed. This segmentation prevents interference between water streams and ensures uniform swirl formation, leading to stable pulsation across all nozzle holes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by optimizing the flow characteristics in different regions of the device. The throttle unit and aeration unit are positioned and designed to ensure that backflow water from all directions reaches the swirl chamber with uniform flow rate distribution. This local optimization ensures consistent pulsation quality across the entire device.
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 design provides stable and uniform pulsation to the bubbly water, enhancing user comfort while maintaining reduced water usage, by ensuring consistent backflow and swirl size across all nozzle holes, preventing phase cancellation and resulting in a consistent pulsating sensation.
Implementation Method 1
A shower apparatus which discharges bubbly water by aerating water using a so-called ejector effect is known.
Implementation Method 2
the direction of ejection of water from the throttle unit, the shape of a channel wall surface, etc., are devised such that a state in which the direction of a main water stream has been changed due to a negative pressure produced inside a swirl
Data Source
AI summary
In this shower apparatus, a part of an internal space thereof closer to the outer circumference thereof than an aeration unit is defined as a plurality of small spaces, and all of the small spaces have a uniform channel resistance.