Spray head
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adjustable shower heads are difficult for elderly or disabled users with reduced manual dexterity and/or eyesight to operate due to the need for rotating spray plates to change water spray patterns.
Innovation Solution
A spray assembly for a shower head that includes a fixed spray plate with multiple holes arranged in groups, a control member that rotates to direct fluid through different groups of holes without moving the spray plate, and a flow control plate driven by the control member's rotation, allowing for adjustment of the spray pattern without rotating the spray plate itself.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a spray plate is rotated to select between different sets of spray holes, then the spray pattern can be changed, but the device becomes difficult to operate for users with reduced manual dexterity and/or eyesight
Solution Approach 1:
The spray plate is segmented into multiple groups of spray holes (first group, second group, third group) arranged in different radial directions. A flow control plate with corresponding flow control openings is introduced to selectively connect the water supply channel to different groups. This segmentation allows spray pattern change without rotating the entire spray plate, improving ease of operation while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
A flow control plate is introduced as an intermediary component between the water supply channel and the spray plate. The flow control plate rotates to align its flow control openings with different groups of spray holes, mediating the water flow distribution. This allows users to change spray patterns by rotating a smaller, easier-to-manipulate flow control plate rather than the entire spray plate, resolving the contradiction between operability and functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the spray plate is rotated to change spray modes, then different spray patterns are achieved, but the spray plate movement complicates the mechanism for users with limited dexterity
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into independent functional components: a stationary spray plate with multiple groups of holes, a rotatable flow control plate with flow control openings, and a water supply channel. This segmentation allows the spray plate to remain fixed while the flow control plate handles rotation, simplifying the overall mechanism and reducing the complexity of moving parts.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of rotating the spray plate to change spray modes (conventional approach), the invention inverts the approach by keeping the spray plate stationary and rotating the flow control plate to achieve the same effect. This inversion simplifies the mechanism by eliminating the need for the spray plate to move, reducing complexity while maintaining spray mode selection capability.
3Ease of operation
If a control member rotates to direct fluid through different groups of holes, then spray pattern adjustment is enabled, but additional components are introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The flow control plate combines multiple functions: it acts as a flow distributor with openings that align with different spray hole groups, serves as the rotatable control element, and integrates with the water supply channel structure. By merging these functions into a single component, the number of additional parts is minimized while maintaining ease of operation for spray pattern control.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow control plate is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously serves as the rotatable control member, the flow distribution mechanism, and the alignment element for different spray patterns. This universality reduces the need for separate components for each function, minimizing device complexity while achieving ease of operation through rotational control.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4
AI summary
A spray assembly (110) for a spray head (200) which is arranged, in use, to adjust a spray pattern of fluid includes a spray plate (118) with a plurality of holes (132, 134) therethrough, and a control member (116) rotatable relative to the spray plate (118). In use, the orientation of the spray plate (118) is fixed and rotation of the control member (116) causes fluid to be directed to different groups of the plurality of holes (132, 134) through the spray plate (118). The spray assembly (110) further comprises at least one flow control opening (152) provided in a flow control plate (124) driven by rotation of the control member (116). The flow control opening (152) is arranged, in use, to be moved in response to rotation of the control member (116). The flow control plate (124) has teeth (142) on its outer circumference which interlock with teeth (146) on an outer circumference of an idler gear (148). The teeth (146) of the idler gear (148) interlock with teeth (144) on an inner circumference of the control member (116).