Shower Outlet Device with Water Reversing Element for Mode Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional shower heads require multiple outlet holes for different water modes, leading to a large and complex design, and often necessitate two-handed operation to switch modes, with residual water issues when changing settings.

Innovation Solution

A water outlet device with a water reversing element that changes the direction or vortex velocity of water flow within a single outlet hole, allowing for multiple modes without additional holes, driven by a rotating mechanism for one-handed operation and minimizing residual water issues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple outlet holes are provided for different water modes, then different outlet water types can be achieved, but the outlet cover plate area and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoutlet water typesVSAvoidoutlet cover plate area

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Each outlet hole is designed as a multi-functional unit that can produce different water modes (misty spray, columnar spray, particle spray) by changing the operational state of the water reversing element, rather than requiring separate outlet holes for each mode. The same physical outlet hole serves multiple purposes through mechanical state changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The water reversing element can move between different positions (first position for misty spray, second position for columnar spray, third position for particle spray) to dynamically change the water flow characteristics. This dynamic reconfiguration allows a single outlet hole to adapt to different water type requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple outlet holes are provided for different water modes, then different outlet water types can be achieved, but the device complexity and appearance simplicity are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoutlet water typesVSAvoidoutlet hole configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The outlet hole structure is designed as a universal multi-functional unit where the water reversing element can redirect water flow through different paths (first water flow path for misty spray, second water flow path for columnar spray, third water flow path for particle spray) within the same physical outlet hole, eliminating the need for multiple separate outlet holes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The water reversing element is nested within the outlet hole structure, allowing it to move between different positions (first position, second position, third position) to control water flow direction. This nested configuration enables multiple functions to be contained within a single outlet hole, reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Adaptability or versatility

If traditional rotating mechanism is used to switch modes, then mode switching is possible, but one-handed operation becomes impossible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemode switchingVSAvoidone-handed operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The traditional rotating mechanical system requiring two-handed operation is replaced with a pressing mechanism operated by a pressing element. The water reversing element responds to pressing actions rather than rotational movements, enabling one-handed operation while maintaining mode switching functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The water reversing element automatically redirects water flow based on the position of the pressing element without requiring manual rotation or complex mechanical intervention. The system self-adjusts the water flow path according to the pressing element's position, simplifying the operation to a single pressing action.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 device reduces the number of outlet holes needed, simplifies the shower head design, enables one-handed mode switching, and ensures consistent water flow across all outlets, addressing the issues of complexity and residual water.

Implementation Method 1

making the direction or vortex velocity of water flowing into the reversing coupling unit change

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVortex flow: Vortex Ring

Data Source

PatentUS10864532B2Outlet device configured to switch between different outlet water types

Publication Date: 2020.12.15 XIAMEN SOLEX HIGH TECH INDUSTRIES CO LTD

AI summary

An outlet device capable of switching different outlet water types in a same outlet hole, has a main body and an outlet cover plate; the outlet cover plate and the main body shape a chamber; a water reversing element is disposed in the chamber, a driving element drives the water reversing element to move in the chamber in the directions closing to the outlet cover or away from the outlet cover; the water reversing element is disposed with reversing unit corresponding to the outlet holes of the outlet cover plate one by one, the reversing unit moves with the water reversing element and changes the distance to the reversing coupling unit, making the direction or vortex velocity of water flowing into the reversing coupling unit change.