Shower Rinse System With Programmable Dispenser

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Solution Overview

Problem

In penal institutions, manually applying medicated shampoos or chemicals during showers is inefficient and prone to human error, leading to potential infestations and misuse of staff resources due to the need for monitoring.

Innovation Solution

A shower rinse system that integrates a programmable dispenser and mixer with the water supply, allowing for controlled mixing and dispensing of selected products like medicated shampoos with water through the shower head, activated by a pressure switch and timer to ensure consistent and proper application.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual application of medicated products is used, then inmates can receive cleansing treatment, but staff time and resources are wasted due to monitoring requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of product applicationVSAvoidstaff monitoring time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service through automatic product dispensing and application. The programmable dispenser automatically releases measured amounts of medicated shampoo or chemical products, and the mixer automatically combines them with water, eliminating the need for staff to manually apply products or monitor the process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical system of staff application with an automated electronic control system. The programmable dispenser, mixer, and timer work together to automatically dispense and mix products, substituting human labor with automated mechanical and electronic components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If manual application of medicated products is used, then inmates can receive cleansing treatment, but infestation risk increases due to improper application

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness of cleansingVSAvoidinfestation risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates feedback through the timer and pressure-sensitive switch that monitor and control the dispensing process. The pressure switch detects when the inmate is in the shower and activates the system, while the timer ensures the product is dispensed for the correct duration, providing automated feedback control to ensure proper application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by pre-programming the dispenser to release the exact amount of product needed before the inmate enters the shower. The timer is pre-set to ensure the product is dispensed for the correct duration, eliminating the need for the inmate to judge the correct application time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If controlled mixing system is implemented, then product application precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct dosage accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple functions into a single integrated system. The programmable dispenser, mixer, timer, and pressure switch are combined into one unified device that automatically performs all functions of product dispensing, mixing, and timing, reducing the need for separate manual operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system exhibits multi-functionality by combining the dispenser, mixer, and timer into a single programmable unit that can handle different medicated products and adjust parameters through programming, making it a universal solution for various cleansing requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This system ensures timely and accurate application of medicated products, reducing the risk of infestations and minimizing the need for continuous monitoring, thereby optimizing resource use and ensuring effective cleansing.

Implementation Method 1

activated by a pressure switch and timer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure detection:

Implementation Method 2

a controlled process to mix a selected product, like a medicated shampoo or other chemical for example, with the water that flows from the conventional shower head

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid mixing:

Data Source

PatentUS9982420B1Shower rinse system and method

Publication Date: 2018.05.29 ROMAINE DELL

AI summary

A controlled shower rinse system installed in a shower stall that mixes a selected medicated substance, like a medicated shampoo for example, with the water that flows from the conventional shower head of a facility's shower system. The rinse system including a programmable dispenser for regulating the introduction of the medicated substance to the shower system, a mixer, and a sensor that supplies an electrical control signal to the dispenser for causing operation thereof to effectively blend water from the shower system's supply line with the medicated product and directing the blended water through the shower system's shower head.