Shower Panel with Drop-Forming Holes for Rain Simulation at Low Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shower systems use high water volumes to produce continuous streams of water, failing to simulate the experience of rain, which some users prefer for its sound and feel.
Innovation Solution
A shower assembly that uses a panel with inlet ports and reservoirs to form discrete drops of water, mimicking rain, by controlling the flow and temperature of water through a control system, and optionally including a streaming apparatus to provide both drops and streams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional shower systems use high water volume to produce continuous streams, then the shower experience is satisfied, but water consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the water flow into discrete droplets of varying sizes (small, medium, large) that fall at different rates, mimicking natural rain patterns. This segmentation allows the system to create a satisfying shower experience using much less water than continuous streams, directly resolving the contradiction between water consumption and shower quality
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic action by controlling droplets to fall in rhythmic patterns with varying intervals, creating a natural rain-like experience. This periodic droplet delivery provides sensory satisfaction similar to continuous flow while using significantly lower water volumes
2Stability of the object's composition
If conventional shower systems produce continuous streams, then water flow is consistent, but the rain-like feel and sound are not simulated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different droplet sizes (small, medium, large) with different fall rates from the same shower system. This allows simultaneous provision of consistent water delivery and varied rain-like sensations, enabling the system to maintain flow stability while achieving rain simulation versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static continuous flow to dynamic droplet patterns where droplets of varying sizes fall at different rates. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt between consistent water delivery and rain-like simulation, resolving the contradiction between flow stability and rain simulation capability
3Adaptability or versatility
If shower systems use multiple flow channels for different water patterns, then versatility increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple flow channel functions into a single integrated system where one showerhead produces all droplet sizes and patterns simultaneously. This consolidation achieves versatile water patterns (rain, stream, mist) without the complexity of multiple separate flow channels, resolving the contradiction between versatility and device complexity
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 shower assembly provides a satisfying shower experience at lower water flow rates, simulating rain effectively while conserving water and offering customizable water patterns.
Implementation Method 1
the first plurality of holes configured such that water flowing through the first plurality of holes forms drops on the bottom wall
Implementation Method 2
forms drops on the bottom wall and fall from the panel
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4A
AI summary
A shower assembly (100) is provided. The shower assembly (100) has a panel (102) including a wall (110) and a first plurality of holes (108) passing through the wall from the inner surface to the outer surface, each hole (108) of the first plurality of holes comprising an inlet and an outlet. The wall (110) at least partially defines a reservoir (120) and has an outer surface on a side of the wall toward a showering area and an inner surface on a side of the wall (110) away from the showering area. When water is provided to the reservoir (120), water passes through the first plurality of holes (108), forms a drop (20) at the outlet of each of the first plurality of holes (108), and falls from the panel (102) as a plurality of drops (20).