Swirl Inducer Nozzle Dome-Shaped Jet Low-Pressure Spray
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior shower heads often fail to produce a satisfying spray of water droplets at low flow rates and/or in low-pressure water supply conditions.
Innovation Solution
A spray head design featuring a swirl inducer that produces swirled fluid flow, which is then shaped by nozzles into a continuous dome-shaped jet, enhancing spatial coverage and reducing clogging, while maintaining the jet's integrity until it disintegrates into droplets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional nozzles are used in prior shower heads, then the structure is simple, but the spray performance is unsatisfactory at low flow rates and low pressure conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle is divided into multiple functional zones: a swirling flow section that generates rotational motion, a dome-shaped forming section that shapes the fluid jet, and an exit section that releases the spray. This segmentation allows each zone to optimize its specific function, transforming conventional simple nozzles into multi-functional components that maintain spray performance across varying flow rates and pressures.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a three-dimensional dome-shaped flow pattern instead of conventional two-dimensional spray patterns. By forming the fluid jet into a dome shape with vertical and radial components, the spray achieves enhanced spatial coverage in multiple dimensions, improving coverage area and spray distribution without increasing the number of nozzles.
2Area of stationary object
If more nozzles are used to improve fluid coverage, then the coverage area increases, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each nozzle is designed to produce a three-dimensional dome-shaped jet that expands in multiple directions (vertically and radially). This dimensional transformation allows a single nozzle to cover the same area as multiple conventional nozzles would require, reducing the total nozzle count while maintaining or improving coverage area.
Solution Approach 2:
The dome-shaped nozzle design performs multiple functions simultaneously: it generates swirled flow for self-cleaning, forms a three-dimensional jet pattern for enhanced coverage, and maintains spray integrity at low flow rates. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components or nozzles.
3Reliability
If conventional nozzles are used, then manufacturing is simple, but clogging occurs more easily without self-cleaning function
Solution Approach 1:
The swirling flow generated within the nozzle creates a rotational motion that produces centrifugal forces and turbulent flow patterns. This mechanical motion acts as a self-cleaning mechanism that prevents deposit accumulation and clogging in the nozzle outlet, eliminating the need for external cleaning systems while improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle design enables self-cleaning through the swirled flow it generates itself. The rotational motion and turbulent flow patterns created by the dome-shaped geometry automatically prevent clogging without requiring external intervention, cleaning mechanisms, or complex maintenance systems.
4Area of stationary object
If the jet disintegrates quickly into droplets, then spray coverage is achieved, but the spatial coverage and coverage area are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The dome-shaped nozzle extends the jet's coherent structure further in the vertical and radial dimensions before disintegration. By forming a three-dimensional dome pattern, the jet maintains its integrity longer and covers a larger spatial volume, allowing the spray to travel farther and cover more area before breaking into droplets.
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 provides effective fluid coverage with fewer nozzles, performs well in low-pressure conditions, and features a self-cleaning function to prevent clogging, ensuring efficient water distribution and reduced maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a swirl inducer downstream of the inlet and adapted to produce, when in use, swirled fluid flow
Implementation Method 2
due to the centrifugal force of the swirled fluid flow, the swirled fluid flow exiting the nozzle opening will tend to expand along and thereby be shaped by the recesses, thereby forming the substantially dome shape flow
Data Source
AI summary
A spray head including: an inlet for receiving fluid; a plurality of nozzles in fluid communication with the inlet; and a swirl inducer downstream of the inlet and adapted to produce, when in use, swirled fluid flow; wherein the plurality of nozzles are adapted to shape the swirled fluid flow exiting therefrom into a continuous jet of fluid of substantially dome shape.