Spray Head Drip-Stop Element Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Spray heads with large diameters experience residual liquid that drips out due to gravity after irrigation, leading to leakage and potential freezing, which damages the device and promotes calcification and algae growth.
Innovation Solution
A spray head design incorporating a drip-stop element with a movable top portion and elastic coupling, which is preloaded to rest against the nozzle plate, ensuring residual liquid is removed after irrigation, and features a sealing portion to prevent leakage and enhance frost resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a large shower head diameter is used, then the spray coverage area is improved, but residual liquid accumulates and causes dripping after irrigation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the residual liquid from the spray head interior by introducing a movable membrane that actively pushes water out through dedicated discharge openings, separating the liquid removal function from the spray coverage function
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane transitions from a static sealing component to a dynamic active element that moves in response to pressure changes, automatically expelling residual liquid when irrigation stops and creating a negative pressure effect to prevent dripping
2Device complexity
If residual liquid remains in the spray head, then the spray head structure is simple, but freezing damage and calcification occur
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane performs preliminary action by actively expelling residual liquid immediately when irrigation stops, preventing water from remaining in the spray head before freezing or calcification can occur
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the existing irrigation pressure and membrane elasticity to automatically remove residual liquid without requiring external power sources or complex mechanical systems
3Object-generated harmful factors
If a drip-stop element with movable membrane is added, then residual liquid is removed effectively, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a flexible membrane made of elastic material that can be integrated into the spray head structure, providing drip-stop functionality through material properties rather than complex mechanical components
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane is integrated with the spray head body and nozzle plate, combining the drip-stop function with the existing structural elements rather than adding completely separate components
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 effectively prevents dripping and running empty, increases frost resistance, reduces calcification and algae growth, and improves handling by removing residual liquid and reducing weight.
Implementation Method 1
the drip-stop element is constituted by a membrane made of an elastic material. Thereby, the stroke movement and restoring of the top portion is obtained due to the elasticity of the drip-stop element
Implementation Method 2
The top portion of the drip-stop element is preloaded such that said top portion rests against the nozzle plate or an intermediate member and said top portion is lifted off the nozzle plate or said intermediate member in case that a liquid flow is provided through the liquid channel into the space between said top portion and the nozzle plate or intermediate member
Implementation Method 3
After stopping the irrigation process, spray heads comprising a large shower head diameter include a large amount of residual liquid within the spray head. Due to gravitational force, said residual liquid drops out of the spray head
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a spray head comprising a spray head base body (2) and a nozzle plate (3), the spray head base body (2) comprising at least one liquid channel (4) for providing a liquid flow towards the nozzle plate (3), wherein a drip-stop element (10) is located between the spray head base body (2) and the nozzle plate (3), said drip-stop element (10) comprising at least one opening (11) being fluidly coupled with said liquid channel (4) for providing a fluid flow into a space (6) between the drip-stop element (10) and the nozzle plate (3), wherein at least a top portion (12) of said drip-stop element (10) is movably mounted within a spray head chamber (5) in order to perform a stroke movement, wherein said top portion (12) is preloaded such that the top portion (12) rests against the nozzle plate (3) without applying any external forces to the top portion (12) and said top portion (12) is lifted off the nozzle plate (3) in case that a liquid flow is provided through the liquid channel (4) into the space (6) between said top portion (12) and the nozzle plate (3).