Showerhead Pause Flow Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing showerheads with pause functions face challenges in meeting safety codes requiring a minimum flow without fully blocking water flow, as smaller diameter holes can lead to back pressure issues and incorrect operation perception, while larger holes may not adequately reduce flow to avoid scalding risks.

Innovation Solution

A showerhead design that simultaneously directs water through reduced diameter flow passageways to all nozzle groups when the pause function is activated, ensuring a minimal flow rate while minimizing projection and maintaining the appearance of a reduced spray pattern, thus avoiding confusion with regular functions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a smaller diameter hole is used for the pause function, then the flow rate is reduced to meet safety codes, but back pressure increases and may blow off the faceplate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow rateVSAvoidback pressure

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The single flow path is segmented into multiple flow paths by distributing the pause flow across multiple nozzle groups. Each nozzle group receives a portion of the pause flow through its own reduced diameter hole, which reduces the back pressure on any single hole while collectively providing the required minimum flow rate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Stress or pressure

If a larger diameter hole is used for the pause function, then back pressure is reduced, but the flow rate increases and the pause function may not appear to be properly operating

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveback pressureVSAvoidflow rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Different parts of the showerhead have different hole sizes optimized for their specific function. The pause function uses multiple reduced diameter holes distributed across nozzle groups, while the regular spray function uses larger holes. This local differentiation allows each function to operate with optimal flow characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If water flow is fully blocked at the showerhead, then the pause function appears to be working effectively, but hot and cold water supplies can mix causing scalding risk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepause function effectivenessVSAvoidscalding risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The pause function uses an intermediary flow path through multiple reduced diameter holes that maintains a minimal flow of water through the showerhead. This intermediary flow prevents the complete blockage that would allow hot and cold water mixing, while still providing the visual appearance of an effective pause function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11478803B2Shower with pause setting

Publication Date: 2022.10.25 HOMEWERKS WORLDWIDE LLC

AI summary

A showerhead having a plurality of nozzle groups for dispensing water in a plurality of spray patterns, and a selector for selecting one or more of the nozzle groups for dispensing water or for pausing flow from the showerhead. When the selector is configured to pause flow from the showerhead a minimum flow is provided to each of the plurality of nozzle groups.