Spray Head Pulsating Flow Mechanism for Water Conservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pre-rinse spray head assemblies consume excessive water and lack the ability to produce high-velocity, pulsating streams of water for efficient rinsing.
Innovation Solution
A pre-rinse spray head design featuring a discharge cover with circumferentially disposed ports, an impeller with rotating fins and tabs, and a diffuser that directs jets of water onto the impeller to create pulsating streams by momentarily blocking ports, reducing water flow to less than 1.2 gallons per minute while maintaining high velocity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If conventional pre-rinse spray head assemblies are used, then water delivery is achieved, but water consumption is excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The spray head produces pulsating streams of water through the rotation of the impeller, which periodically blocks and unblocks the discharge ports. This periodic action creates high-velocity bursts of water that maintain rinsing effectiveness while reducing overall water consumption compared to continuous flow systems
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the flow regime from continuous to pulsating by introducing the rotating impeller mechanism. This parameter change in flow pattern allows the system to deliver water in high-velocity pulses rather than continuous flow, achieving better rinsing performance per unit of water consumed
2Speed
If conventional spray head assemblies are used, then water flow is delivered, but velocity is insufficient for efficient rinsing
Solution Approach 1:
The periodic opening and closing of discharge ports through impeller rotation creates pulsating water streams with high peak velocities. The intermittent flow allows pressure to build and release in pulses, achieving higher instantaneous velocities than continuous flow systems while using less water
Solution Approach 2:
The discharge cover is segmented into multiple ports that are selectively blocked by impeller tabs. This segmentation allows water to be directed through specific ports in a controlled manner, creating focused high-velocity streams rather than diffuse low-velocity flow
3Loss of substance
If continuous water flow is used, then rinsing coverage is maintained, but water consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pulsating flow pattern created by the rotating impeller provides periodic bursts of water that cover the rinsing area effectively. The multiple discharge ports ensure that as one port is blocked, others remain open, maintaining continuous coverage while reducing total water usage
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static continuous flow to dynamic pulsating flow through the rotating impeller. The dynamic blocking and unblocking of ports creates varying flow patterns that maintain area coverage while optimizing water usage through timed delivery
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 effectively reduces water consumption and delivers pulsating streams of water at high velocity, suitable for pre-rinsing dishes and similar items, with cleanability performance meeting ASTM standards.
Implementation Method 1
an impeller rotatably mounted within the cover and means within the cover for directing at least one jet of water onto the impeller to effect rotation of the impeller within the cover
Implementation Method 2
a diffuser that directs jets of water onto the impeller to create pulsating streams by momentarily blocking ports
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The spray head for a pre-rinse assembly includes a discharge cover having a plurality of ports for discharging water and a diffuser within discharge cover having a circumferential wall with at least one slot for directing a jet of water onto the fins of a rotatable impeller within the diffuser. The impeller has a plurality of tabs disposed relative to the ports whereby a respective tab momentarily covers a respective port to prevent passage of water therethrough during rotation of said impeller thereby effecting a pulsating stream of water through a respective port.