Low Speed Pulsating Showerhead Turbine Shutter Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional showerheads lack the ability to generate a low-speed pulsating spray effectively, which is desired for a massage-like experience without the complexity of multiple modes or high water consumption.
Innovation Solution
A showerhead design incorporating a turbine, shutter, and housing, where the turbine's rotation causes the shutter to rotate at a slower speed due to gear teeth engagement, creating a periodic interruption of water flow through outlets to produce a low-speed pulsating spray, simulating a hand massage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a conventional showerhead design is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot generate a low-speed pulsating spray for massage experience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by introducing a turbine that rotates in response to water flow, converting steady water flow into rotational motion. This dynamic element enables the showerhead to generate pulsating spray patterns without requiring multiple static nozzles or complex valve systems, thus achieving variable spray speeds through a single moving component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action through the shutter mechanism that periodically opens and closes to interrupt water flow. The shutter's rotation, driven by the turbine, creates rhythmic on-off cycles in water delivery, producing the desired pulsating massage effect. This periodic interruption of flow is achieved through the interaction between turbine blades and shutter geometry, converting continuous flow into periodic pulses.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple spray modes are added to achieve pulsating spray, then the massage experience is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single turbine-shutter assembly that performs multiple functions: it controls flow rate, generates pulsating patterns, and creates massage effects. This multi-functional component replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate nozzles, valves, and control mechanisms, achieving spray mode variety without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The turbine-shutter mechanism is self-regulating, using the water flow itself to drive the pulsating action. The water pressure and flow rate automatically control the turbine speed, which in turn controls the shutter rotation speed, creating self-adjusting pulsating patterns without external controls or multiple mode-selecting mechanisms.
3Speed
If high water consumption is used to create strong pulsating effect, then the massage experience is enhanced, but water efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The periodic opening and closing of the shutter creates intense pulsating effects by concentrating water flow into discrete pulses rather than continuous flow. This periodic action allows the same volume of water to deliver more concentrated hydraulic impacts, enhancing the massage effect while using less total water compared to continuous high-flow systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temporal parameters of water delivery by introducing periodic interruptions through the shutter mechanism. This transforms continuous flow into pulsed flow, changing the delivery rate and timing parameters to create more intense per-unit-time water impacts while reducing overall water consumption through optimized pulse timing and duration.
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 design achieves a pulsating spray that mimics a hand massage while using less water and maintaining simplicity, reducing soap scum buildup and maintenance compared to traditional showerheads.
Implementation Method 1
The turbine may be received within the chamber. The shutter may be received within the chamber and operatively associated with the turbine. Rotation of the turbine may cause rotation of the shutter.
Implementation Method 2
The first engagement feature, the second engagement feature, or both, may be at least one gear tooth. Engagement of the first engagement feature with the second engagement feature may cause the rotation rate of the shutter to be less than the rotation rate of the turbine.
Data Source
AI summary
A showerhead may include a housing, a jet disk, a turbine, and a shutter. The housing may include a fluid inlet, at least one fluid outlet, and a chamber in fluid communication with the inlet and one or more outlets. The jet disk, turbine, and shutter may be placed in the cavity. The shutter may include at least one opening. The shutter may selectively cover and uncover fluid outlets, thus selectively fluidly connecting the fluid outlets with the chamber. Water flowing through the housing causes the turbine to spin. As the turbine spins, the shutter rotates at a slower speed than the turbine to produce a periodic interruption of water flow through the outlets by covering and uncovering the outlets as the shutter rotates within the housing.