Systems and methods for diverting water from a shower head and distributing within a bathtub or shower basin
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional handheld shower heads require manual operation, making them difficult for individuals with limited mobility or children to use safely and comfortably, as they need to be held and can deliver excessive water pressure, leading to an uncomfortable and potentially painful showering experience.
Innovation Solution
A system that diverts water from a shower diverter valve to a flexible hose connected to a basin, mat, or tubular body within a bathtub, featuring outlets with control valves and memory hoses, allowing for a gentle and adjustable water distribution, accommodating various user needs and ages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a handheld shower head is used to allow directional water flow, then water can be directed to specific areas, but the user must hold the shower head with one hand, reducing ease of operation for elderly, injured, or disabled persons
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the water distribution function by separating the shower head from the water delivery mechanism. A flexible hose with multiple outlet positions replaces the handheld shower head, allowing water to be delivered to different areas without requiring the user to hold anything. The hose can be positioned at various locations (head, waist, leg levels) to provide targeted water flow while keeping both hands free.
Solution Approach 2:
A flexible hose acts as an intermediary between the water source and the user's body. Instead of directly holding a shower head, the user benefits from the hose's ability to deliver water to multiple positions along its length. The hose serves as a mediator that provides directional control through its positioning rather than through manual manipulation of a shower head.
2Productivity
If a handheld shower head delivers concentrated water flow for effective cleansing, then water reaches specific areas, but the force and spray can be too significant for children, making the experience uncomfortable or painful
Solution Approach 1:
The water flow is segmented into multiple smaller streams by providing several outlet positions along the flexible hose. Instead of one concentrated jet from a handheld shower head, water is delivered through multiple distributed outlets (at head, waist, and leg levels), reducing the pressure and force on any single area of the child's body while maintaining overall cleansing effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies local quality by positioning outlets at specific locations along the hose to deliver water to different body areas. The flexible hose can be configured to place outlets at optimal positions for gentle water delivery to various parts of the child's body, ensuring effective cleansing without excessive force in any one location.
3Area of stationary object
If a conventional shower head is installed above the bathtub to provide overhead showering, then water coverage is broad, but it does not allow for targeted water delivery to specific body areas or gentle water flow for children
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static overhead shower head to a dynamic flexible hose that can be positioned and repositioned as needed. The flexible hose allows the water delivery points to move to different locations along the hose length, enabling targeted water delivery to specific body areas while maintaining the ability to provide broad coverage when positioned strategically.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of providing water coverage from a single overhead position (one-dimensional coverage area), the flexible hose extends water delivery across multiple spatial dimensions by positioning outlets at different heights and locations along its length. This creates a three-dimensional water delivery system that can target specific areas while maintaining overall coverage.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed for diverting water from a shower diverter valve and distributing within an interior of a bathtub. One non-limiting embodiment of the system disclosed herein includes a flexible hose having a first end connected to the shower diverter valve, the flexible hose extending into the interior of the bathtub and having a second end opposite the first, the second end of the hose connecting to an inlet of a basin disposed within the interior of the bathtub and supported by a bottom surface of the bathtub; the basin being generally rectangular in shape, the basin having an internal cavity for receiving water from the flexible hose, the basin having a top surface for placing a child during a bath, the top surface having a plurality of holes about an outer perimeter of the top surface of the basin; wherein water flowing from the shower diverter valve through the flexible hose and into the internal cavity of the basin emits from the plurality of holes in the top surface of the basin, creating a gentle shower for bathing the child.