Showerhead Deflector Forms Laminar Water Sheet
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional showerheads face challenges in manufacturing features that convey water through extended channels without compromising industrial design, while also failing to generate a flat waterfall-like spray effectively.
Innovation Solution
A showerhead design featuring a water outlet nozzle discharging a solid, laminar water stream that impinges on a deflector with a concave water contact surface, forming a sheet-like waterfall by utilizing a vertically extending opening and support arms to position the deflector axially and laterally, along with a conical discharge nozzle and stream straightener to remove turbulence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional showerheads use extended channels to convey water, then water delivery is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases and industrial design is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the water conveyance function from extended internal channels and relocates it to an external deflector surface. The deflector is positioned to receive water from the outlet nozzle and redirect it along its outer surface, eliminating the need for complex internal channeling while maintaining water delivery functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from three-dimensional internal channeling to two-dimensional surface flow on the deflector. Water flows along the external surface of the deflector in a planar path, simplifying the conveyance mechanism while achieving the same water delivery objective.
2Shape
If conventional showerheads discharge water, then water flow is achieved, but they fail to generate a flat waterfall-like spray
Solution Approach 1:
The deflector incorporates a concave surface with specific curvature radii that shape the water flow into a flat, waterfall-like sheet. The concave geometry guides the water along a curved path and distributes it uniformly across the deflector surface, creating the desired aesthetic spray pattern while maintaining effective water delivery.
3Volume of moving object
If the outlet nozzle is positioned close to the deflector, then compact design is achieved, but water stream turbulence increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a stream straightener as an intermediary component between the outlet nozzle and the deflector. This straightener component removes turbulence from the water stream before it reaches the deflector, allowing the nozzle to be positioned closer to the deflector while maintaining controlled, laminar water flow.
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 design effectively generates a flat waterfall-like spray without compromising industrial design, achieving higher velocity and control over the sheet-like water layer, allowing for varied flow rates and maintaining visual interest with water shooting across a void within the showerhead.
Implementation Method 1
a stream straightener in fluid communication with the discharge nozzle
Implementation Method 2
the water outlet includes a conical shaped discharge nozzle
Implementation Method 3
water discharged from the water outlet is configured to extend axially through the vertically extending opening and impact the deflector to form a sheet-like layer of water
Implementation Method 4
a deflector in axial spaced relation to the water outlet... forming a sheet-like waterfall
Data Source
AI summary
A showerhead includes a water outlet and a deflector in axial spaced relation to the water outlet. Water discharged from the water outlet is configured to extend axially through a vertical opening and impact the deflector to form a sheet-like water layer.