Hand-held Shower Waterway Segmentation for Component Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sanitary hand showers face challenges in accommodating electrical components such as accumulators and generators in a space-saving manner, as existing designs do not efficiently utilize the available space in the hand area for these components.
Innovation Solution
The design splits waterways into partial waterways, creating a free space in the hand area that can be used for additional components like accumulators and turbines, with a removable accumulator unit housed in a trough-like structure, allowing for efficient recharging and integration of flow sensors and circuit boards for controlling electrical devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If waterways are split into partial waterways and components are arranged in edge areas, then usable space for electrical components is created, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The waterway is segmented into multiple partial waterways that are arranged in the edge areas of the hand area. This segmentation creates a free space in the middle region where electrical components can be accommodated, thus resolving the space constraint while maintaining the water flow function through the distributed partial waterways.
Solution Approach 2:
The design transitions from a centralized waterway arrangement to a distributed edge-based arrangement, utilizing the peripheral dimension of the hand area. This dimensional reorganization creates central free space for component accommodation while maintaining water flow through the edge-located partial waterways.
2Ease of operation
If accumulator is made removable in an integrated unit with window cover, then ease of operation for recharging is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The accumulator is merged with the window cover to form an integrated accumulator unit. This combination allows the accumulator to be removed as a single unit through the window opening, simplifying the recharging operation. The merged design eliminates the need for separate removal steps for the cover and accumulator, thus improving ease of operation while the integration is managed through standardized coupling mechanisms.
3Extent of automation
If flow sensor and circuit board are integrated in usable space, then automation of electrical control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The usable space in the hand area is designed as a multi-functional zone that accommodates the flow sensor, circuit board, and other electrical components. This universal space serves multiple functions including sensing, control, and power management, thereby achieving automation of electrical device control while containing the complexity within a dedicated modular region.
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 solution provides a compact and efficient way to house electrical components, reducing the need for frequent recharging of accumulators and enabling the integration of features like automatic lighting control based on water flow, enhancing user comfort and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
The flow sensor can be a rotor made of magnetized material that can be driven by flowing water and interacts with a sensor that is sensitive to magnetic fields
Implementation Method 2
A turbine that can be flowed against by water and that drives a generator
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The spray (1) has a spray head formed with a discharge nozzle for a water jet. A hand area supports the spray head and has a water path extending from a connection to the spray head. A junction is provided in the water path that is split into two partial water paths at the junction. The partial water paths completely or partially surround a utilization area and are merged in another junction. An accumulator is accommodated in the utilization area. The utilization area is surrounded by a side opened trough.