Showerhead Pin Plate Actuator for Mode Switching

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing handheld showerheads lack the ability to easily switch between various spray modes, such as soft, hard, and pulsing, without requiring separate units for each mode.

Innovation Solution

A handheld showerhead design featuring a spray plate with pins that align with protrusions on a flexible gasket, allowing for electromechanical control of water flow through exit holes on the front cover, enabling selection of different spray modes via a user interface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single handheld showerhead is used, then device simplicity is improved, but the ability to provide multiple spray modes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice simplicityVSAvoidspray mode variety

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The spray plate is made movable relative to the front cover through an actuator mechanism. By dynamically repositioning the spray plate, the system can selectively align pins with different exit openings to change spray modes, allowing a single static device to provide multiple dynamic spray patterns

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The spray plate serves multiple functions by being able to align with different exit openings through its movement. A single component structure provides both the spray function and the mode selection capability, eliminating the need for separate units for each spray mode

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate showerhead units are used for different spray modes, then spray mode variety is improved, but device complexity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespray mode varietyVSAvoidnumber of units

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple spray mode functionalities into a single showerhead unit by integrating the movable spray plate mechanism. The spray plate, front cover, and actuator work together as a unified system that can switch between spray modes without requiring separate physical units

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The spray plate is designed as a multi-functional component that can align with different exit openings to provide various spray modes. This universal component replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate showerhead units

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a movable spray plate mechanism is added, then spray mode switching capability is improved, but device complexity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespray mode switchingVSAvoidmechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The actuator serves as an intermediary component that mediates between the user input and the spray plate movement. This intermediary mechanism simplifies the overall system by providing a dedicated component for mode switching rather than requiring direct complex mechanical linkages

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12285771B2Showerhead with pin plate

Publication Date: 2025.04.29 KOHLER CO(US)

AI summary

A spray head includes a front cover, a spray plate, and an actuator. The front cover includes a plurality of exit openings. The spray plate is oriented substantially parallel to the front cover. The spray plate includes a pin that is aligned with at least one exit opening of the plurality of exit openings. The pin is configured to selectively engage with the at least one exit opening to control a flow of water through the at least one exit opening. The actuator is coupled to the spray plate and is configured to reposition the spray plate relative to the front cover based on user input.