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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional shower curtains lack innovative features that enhance functionality, such as retractable designs, integrated liquid channels, and smart technologies like sound input devices or photovoltaic cells.

Innovation Solution

The shower curtain features a body with upper and lower ends, incorporating a plurality of cells or pleat folds that retract towards the upper end when a force is applied, and includes liquid channels for water management and smart components like sound input devices and photovoltaic cells.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional shower curtains are used, then basic privacy and water prevention functions are provided, but functional enhancement and smart features are lacking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional enhancementVSAvoidcurtain structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shower curtain is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides privacy, prevents water spray, manages liquid flow through integrated channels, and incorporates smart features such as sound input devices and photovoltaic cells for energy generation. This multi-functional design allows a single device to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines traditionally separate elements into a unified shower curtain system: liquid channels are integrated directly into the curtain body, smart devices are embedded within the curtain structure, and multiple functional layers are merged into a single coordinated system. This merging reduces the need for separate components while enhancing overall functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If liquid channels are integrated into the curtain body, then water management is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater managementVSAvoidcurtain production

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The curtain body is divided into distinct functional zones: upper regions with liquid input channels, middle sections with flow management structures, and lower portions with output channels. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized independently for its specific water management function while maintaining overall system integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The curtain incorporates composite construction with different material layers serving specific purposes: waterproof layers for water management, flexible layers for cellular structure expansion and contraction, and integrated channels made from materials optimized for liquid flow. This composite approach enables complex water management functionality while maintaining manufacturability through specialized material properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Adaptability or versatility

If smart features like sound input devices and photovoltaic cells are added, then functionality is enhanced, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesmart featuresVSAvoidcurtain system

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The photovoltaic cells integrated into the curtain generate electrical energy directly from ambient light, providing self-powered operation for smart features such as sound input devices, LED indicators, or other electronic components. This self-service approach reduces dependency on external power sources and simplifies the overall system architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Smart features are selected and integrated to serve multiple purposes: sound input devices can function as both entertainment interfaces and safety monitoring tools, photovoltaic cells provide both energy generation and structural integration, and various sensors can detect multiple parameters simultaneously. This multi-functionality maximizes the value of added complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 provides enhanced functionality, including efficient water management, smart features, and improved user experience through retractable design and integrated technologies.

Implementation Method 1

The body is configured for retracting toward the upper end based at least in part on the cells collapsing onto each other when a force is applied onto the lower end toward the upper end

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The cells comprise a plurality of liquid channels configured to receive liquid during showering. At least one of the channels is external to at least one of the cells and is inclined such that liquid flow is gravity induced

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 3

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotovoltaic effect: Photovoltaic Effect

Data Source

PatentUS20250134320A1technologies

Publication Date: 2025.05.01 TSIBULEVSKIY ROMAN

AI summary

Various technologies for use in shower and non-shower environments.