Systems and methods for lighted showering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shower environments often lack ambient lighting and information about shower duration and water temperature, making it difficult for users to determine when the water is ready, leading to wasted time and water.
Innovation Solution
A showerhead with integrated lighting elements and a light driver that controls the lighting based on water temperature and duration, using a temperature sensor and clock to provide visual indications through color schemes and intensity changes, powered by a hydro-generator that harnesses water flow energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If lighting is installed in the shower space after bathroom construction, then ambient lighting is provided, but installation difficulty and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the lighting function with the showerhead by integrating lighting elements directly into the showerhead structure. This merging eliminates the need for separate shower space lighting installation, providing ambient lighting while avoiding post-construction installation complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The showerhead is designed to perform multiple functions: water delivery and lighting provision. By making the showerhead a multi-functional device that includes integrated lighting elements, the patent eliminates the need for additional lighting fixtures in the shower space.
2Loss of information
If conventional shower environments lack ambient lighting and information display, then device complexity is reduced, but user information awareness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses color-changing lighting elements to convey different shower information states. The lighting elements can display different colors to indicate water temperature, shower duration, and readiness status, providing intuitive visual feedback without requiring complex display interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting elements serve as an intermediary communication medium between the shower system and the user. Instead of requiring direct user interaction or complex interfaces, the lighting provides indirect visual information about water temperature, duration, and readiness, simplifying the user-shower interaction.
3Loss of time
If manual water temperature testing is used, then device complexity is minimized, but time and water waste increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback system where temperature sensors continuously monitor water temperature and the lighting elements provide real-time visual feedback to the user. This closed-loop feedback eliminates the need for manual temperature testing, reducing wait time and water waste while maintaining manageable system complexity through simple sensor-lighting integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary temperature monitoring and visual indication before the user needs to use the shower. By continuously sensing water temperature and displaying readiness status through lighting, the system prepares the user in advance, eliminating the need for manual temperature testing and reducing time and water waste.
4Illumination intensity
If lighting elements are integrated into the showerhead, then ambient lighting and information display are provided, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the lighting function into separate lighting elements that can be independently positioned and controlled within the showerhead structure. This segmentation allows for flexible integration of lighting components without requiring complex precision manufacturing of the entire showerhead, as the lighting elements can be installed in modular fashion.
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
Provides ambient lighting and informative cues about water temperature and duration, reducing the need for manual testing and conserving water by alerting users when the water is ready and reminding them of shower time.
Implementation Method 1
The showerhead may include a hydro-generator configured to generate power for the plurality of lights and the light driver using water flowing from a water source to the plurality of water outlets
Implementation Method 2
The showerhead may include a temperature sensor communicably coupled to the light driver. The temperature sensor may be configured to sense a temperature of the water flow
Implementation Method 3
The light driver may cause a subset of the lighting elements to output light having a color scheme that relates to the temperature
Implementation Method 4
Light from the lighting elements is directed parallel to and opposite a direction of water flow from the inlet through the showerhead
Implementation Method 5
The light diffuser receives light reflected from the light reflector and diffusing light outwardly from the light diffuser
Data Source
AI summary
A showerhead includes a plurality of water outlets for providing a flow of water. The showerhead includes one or more lighting elements and a light driver communicably coupled to the one or more lighting elements. The light driver is configured to control at least a subset of the lighting elements to output light based on various conditions corresponding to the showerhead.