Extendable Showerhead Arm Mount for Secure Adjustable Docking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing handheld showerhead assemblies suffer from insecure magnetic docking mechanisms, limited adjustability, and positioning issues, particularly for users with short height or low ceilings, leading to inconvenient showerhead placement.
Innovation Solution
An arm mount assembly with movable and extendable features, including a coupling structure with magnets, ball joints, and adjustable shoulders, allowing for secure and versatile attachment of handheld showerheads at various positions and angles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If magnetic docking mechanism is used to attach handheld showerhead, then attachment is simple and quick, but retention is insecure and showerhead may release inadvertently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines magnetic docking mechanism with a mechanical latch system. The magnetic force provides initial attraction and easy attachment, while the mechanical latch engages with a detent to secure the showerhead in place, preventing inadvertent release. This merging of magnetic and mechanical systems resolves the contradiction between simple operation and secure retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment mechanism uses composite construction combining magnetic materials (for attraction) with mechanical components (latch, detent, spring). This composite approach leverages the advantages of both magnetic forces (easy attachment) and mechanical structures (secure retention), eliminating the insecurity of pure magnetic docking.
2Device complexity
If fixed mount position is used for handheld showerhead, then structure is simple, but user cannot adjust angle and positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the fixed mount with a dynamic articulated arm system containing multiple joints (pivot joint at wall, elbow joint in middle, wrist joint at showerhead). These joints allow the arm to move through multiple degrees of freedom, enabling users to adjust the showerhead to various angles and positions while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The mount is segmented into multiple articulated sections (arm segments connected by joints) rather than a single rigid structure. This segmentation allows independent movement of each segment, providing positioning flexibility while keeping each individual joint simple in design.
3Ease of operation
If showerhead connects to arm mount via hose connection, then attachment is straightforward, but showerhead position is elevated and problematic for users with short height or low ceilings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the showerhead connection point from the traditional hose-connection-at-arm-mount-location and relocates it to the distal end of the articulated arm, close to where the showerhead actually attaches. This allows the arm to extend downward or position the showerhead at various heights, accommodating users with short height or low ceilings while maintaining straightforward attachment through the same magnetic-latch mechanism.
4Adaptability or versatility
If handheld showerhead is made movable and extendable with multiple joints, then positioning flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses universal joints and standardized mechanical components that can serve multiple functions. The same magnetic-latch attachment mechanism is used at multiple connection points, and the articulated joints provide both positioning flexibility and structural support. This multi-functionality reduces overall complexity despite the movable design.
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 arm mount assembly provides secure retention and adjustable positioning of handheld showerheads, enabling users to manipulate the water stream direction and height, enhancing user convenience and flexibility in shower environments.
Implementation Method 1
The coupling structure includes a magnet, and the showerhead includes a magnetically attractable material... the magnet and magnetically attractable material provide retention of the handheld showerhead to the arm mount assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A showerhead assembly is provided which includes an arm mount assembly for releasably and/or extendably holding a handheld showerhead. The arm mount assembly includes one or more shoulder portions and a movable arm portion. The arm mount assembly comprises a coupler, a second shoulder outlet, and a connection end. The connection end is configured to couple with the handheld showerhead by a rear side or proximal end thereof, or an adapter operatively coupled therewith. The means for coupling can include magnets, a hook and loop mechanism, or a ball joint connection. In addition, a spring-button tab mechanism can be utilized for managing the operative engagement and disengagement of the arm mount assembly with the handheld showerhead. The arm mount assembly provides for a wide range of adjustability of the showerhead assembly, such as panning, swiveling, tilting, and/or rotation of the handheld showerhead.