Showerhead Manifold Flow Restriction Across Multiple Spray Modes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multiple function showerheads face challenges in maintaining a consistent total water discharge rate across different operating modes, especially when mounted high, making it impractical to manipulate the diverter, and thus difficult to comply with regulation limits.
Innovation Solution
A multiple function showerhead system with a manifold that includes separate supply conduits and flow restricting devices, allowing for selective water delivery to multiple spout outlets through actuable valves, ensuring a restricted flow rate across various operating modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate supply conduits are used for different showerhead modes, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the water supply into separate conduits for different showerhead modes (e.g., rain mode, massage mode, circular mode). Each conduit can be independently controlled, allowing users to select modes by closing unnecessary conduits rather than manipulating a diverter at height. This segmentation improves operational ease while the manifold integrates the complexity internally.
Solution Approach 2:
The manifold acts as an intermediary device that receives water from multiple separate supply conduits and distributes it to corresponding showerhead modes. It includes flow restricting devices and valves that automatically regulate water flow based on which conduits are open, eliminating the need for high-mounted diverters and simplifying user interaction.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple supply conduits are used for different modes, then adaptability is improved, but maintaining regulated flow rate becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The manifold merges multiple separate water supply conduits into a common distribution system. Each conduit has its own flow restricting device, and the manifold includes a common passageway that collects water from all open conduits. This merging allows the system to adapt to different mode combinations while maintaining regulated total flow rate through centralized flow control.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow restricting devices in each conduit and the common passageway are designed to automatically adjust water flow parameters based on which conduits are active. When multiple conduits are open, the system dynamically balances the flow to maintain the regulated total discharge rate, ensuring compliance with flow regulations regardless of mode combination.
3Ease of operation
If a diverter is mounted at high ceiling, then ease of operation deteriorates, but device complexity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The diverter function is extracted from the high-mounted showerhead assembly and relocated to the manifold, which is positioned at a more accessible location. The manifold includes valves that can be operated from ground level, eliminating the need for users to reach high ceilings to change modes. This extraction improves operational ease while the manifold's internal structure manages the complexity of multiple conduits.
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 system maintains a consistent and regulated water discharge rate across different modes, ensuring compliance with water regulations and user preferences while simplifying operation by allowing separate control of each mode through independent conduit management.
Implementation Method 1
a flow restricting device configured to receive water from the common passageway and configured to restrict a flow rate of water in the manifold
Data Source
AI summary
A showerhead system is operable in different discharge modes and a combination of discharge modes. The showerhead system includes a manifold that restricts the total water discharge rate to a threshold value regardless of whether the showerhead operates in a single discharge mode or a combination of discharge modes.