Showerhead Sequential Nozzle Pulsation Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Showerheads with rapid shutter operation can produce pulsation effects that are less than desirable, resulting in a diminished massaging experience due to excessive chopping of water flow, making the pulsation effect undetectable at certain flow rates.
Innovation Solution
A showerhead design featuring multiple pairs of nozzles activated in sequence, combined with a pulsation mechanism that includes a shutter and turbine with internal and external gear teeth, allowing the shutter to rotate at a slower rate than the turbine, creating a more effective pulsating flow by controlling the engagement of gear teeth to modulate water flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the shutter operates rapidly to chop water flow, then the pulsation frequency increases, but the massaging effect is diminished because the pulsation becomes less detectable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the water flow into multiple discrete streams through multiple nozzles (e.g., three sets of nozzles) instead of using a single shutter. This segmentation allows each nozzle to be controlled independently, creating a pulsating effect that is more detectable and massaging-friendly by distributing the chopped water flow across multiple targets on the user's body.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic activation of multiple nozzle sets in a cyclic sequence, where each set is activated for a specific duration (e.g., 0.25 to 1 second) followed by deactivation. This periodic action creates a noticeable pulsating effect that alternates between different nozzle groups, enhancing the massaging experience while maintaining detectable pulsation frequencies.
2Productivity
If the shutter rapidly opens and closes the flow passage, then the water chopping frequency increases, but the detectability of pulsation by the user decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of rapidly chopping water through a single shutter, the patent segments the water flow into multiple streams from separate nozzles that are activated in sequence. This allows the system to maintain high productivity through rapid cyclic activation of multiple nozzle sets while improving detectability by distributing the pulsating flow across multiple contact points on the user's body.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-dimension rapid shutter operation to a multi-dimensional approach by spatially distributing multiple nozzles and activating them in sequence. This dimensional change from temporal rapid-chopping to spatial-temporal distributed activation enhances both productivity and detectability by engaging multiple sensory areas on the user's body.
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 solution enhances the massage mode by producing a more noticeable and desirable pulsating effect, improving user experience by optimizing the pulsation mechanism to ensure a consistent and detectable pulsation of water flow.
Implementation Method 1
a turbine supported for rotation within the chamber about an axis offset from the central axis
Implementation Method 2
The shutter includes a central opening having a plurality of internal gear teeth, and the rotor includes a hub having a circumferential surface with at least one external gear tooth for engaging the internal gear teeth of the shutter
Data Source
AI summary
A showerhead (2) and a pulsation mechanism thereof are disclosed. The showerhead (2) with three sets of spaced-apart nozzles (22a, 22b, 22c) is configured to be cyclically activated in sequence, with each set of nozzles (22a, 22b, 22c) operative for approximately 0.25 seconds to 1 second, while the other two sets of nozzles (22a, 22b, 22c) are deactivated. The showerhead (2) includes a shutter (34) adapted to open a flow passage (36) within the showerhead (2) leading to one or more respective nozzles (22a, 22b, 22c) periodically to produce an intermittent pulsating flow.