Shower Water Collection Panel for Easy Graywater Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water conservation methods for shower water collection are either inconvenient, expensive, or require permanent modifications to plumbing systems, making them difficult for widespread adoption, especially for individuals who may struggle with installation or usability.
Innovation Solution
A water collection apparatus comprising a panel with connectors that can be hung or attached within a shower enclosure, featuring a receptacle to collect water from the showerhead, which can be directed to a destination other than the drain, allowing for easy installation and use, with options for flexible materials and configurations to accommodate various shower setups.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a bucket is placed on the floor of the shower to collect water, then water collection is simplified, but most water from the showerhead misses the bucket because the showerhead disperses water over an area beyond the bucket opening
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from floor-level collection (2D horizontal placement) to wall-mounted collection (3D vertical placement). By mounting the receptacle on the shower wall near the showerhead, the system captures water in the vertical dimension where the showerhead directs water, significantly improving collection efficiency while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a wall-mounted receptacle as an intermediary between the showerhead and the collection container. This intermediary device is positioned to intercept water directly from the showerhead before it would miss the container, acting as a mediator that ensures water is captured and then transferred to the storage container.
2Loss of substance
If a person holds the bucket near the showerhead to capture more water, then water collection efficiency improves, but it becomes difficult or impossible for some people (e.g., children or elderly people) to hold the bucket close to the shower head
Solution Approach 1:
The wall-mounted receptacle performs the water collection function automatically without requiring human physical effort. The system serves itself by being permanently positioned in the optimal location to intercept water, eliminating the need for users to manually hold or adjust the collection container during showering.
Solution Approach 2:
By moving the collection device from floor level to wall mounting, the system eliminates the need for users to physically hold the container. The vertical wall-mounted position allows gravity and water flow to naturally direct water into the receptacle without requiring user strength or coordination.
3Loss of substance
If a diverter valve and hose system is installed to collect water, then water can be diverted to a storage container, but the user must remove the showerhead for installation and cannot determine when water temperature has reached the desirable level
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the water collection function from the showerhead assembly itself. Instead of modifying the showerhead with diverters and hoses, the system uses a separate wall-mounted receptacle that passively collects water, eliminating the need to remove or modify the showerhead for installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The wall-mounted receptacle serves as an intermediary device that simplifies the water collection process. It intercepts water directly from the showerhead without requiring integration into the showerhead's internal plumbing, thereby avoiding complex installation while still achieving water conservation.
4Loss of substance
If a tube system is installed to direct water to a container, then potable water can be saved while water warms, but the tube may be large, unwieldy, or unsightly and requires user memory to attach and remove the cuff
Solution Approach 1:
The invention moves the collection device from a portable handheld container to a fixed wall-mounted receptacle. This vertical wall mounting eliminates the need for flexible tubes and cuffs, as the receptacle is permanently positioned to receive water directly from the showerhead, simplifying the overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The wall-mounted receptacle automatically collects water without requiring user intervention to attach or adjust components. The system is self-configuring through its permanent installation, eliminating the need for users to remember to attach or remove cuffs, and removing unsightly tubing from the shower environment.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are apparatuses for collecting water in a shower or bathtub enclosure. The apparatus comprises a water-resistant or waterproof panel, one or more connectors coupled or coupleable to the panel, the one or more connectors enabling the panel to be disposed within the shower or bathtub enclosure, and a receptacle coupled or coupleable to the panel, the receptacle having an opening for collecting water from a surface of the panel, the receptacle for delivering the collected water to a destination other than a drain of the shower or bathtub enclosure. The destination may be a container, a bucket, a toilet, a tank, a planter box, a plant pot, or an outdoor location such as a garden or lawn. The collected water may flow directly to the destination, or the apparatus may use a channel to deliver the collected water to the destination.