Vortex Venturi Showerhead Nozzle for Air-Aspirated Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional showerheads with low dissolved oxygen levels in water supply result in reduced cleaning effectiveness, increased water usage, and energy consumption, as they fail to effectively introduce sufficient air into the water stream.
Innovation Solution
A showerhead assembly featuring a vortex chamber that increases water velocity and introduces air molecules by swirling the water before expelling it through nozzles, enhancing the aspirating effect and oxygen enrichment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a conventional showerhead conveys inlet water stream directly into spray pattern, then the construction is simple, but the cleaning action is reduced and more water is used
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces air as an intermediary substance that mixes with water in the spray stream. Air injection devices are incorporated into the showerhead to entrain air molecules into the water flow, creating an aerated water stream that enhances cleaning effectiveness without requiring complex structural modifications
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes pneumatic principles by introducing air flow into the water stream through injection devices. The air-water mixing mechanism employs pressure differentials and flow dynamics to entrain air into the spray, improving cleaning action through the aerated water while maintaining relatively simple construction
2Reliability
If water from deep wells with low dissolved oxygen is used, then oxidation of piping is reduced, but cleaning effectiveness is reduced and more water is used
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the water by introducing air molecules into the water stream. This increases the dissolved oxygen content and alters the water's cleaning properties, transforming low-oxygen well water into oxygen-enriched aerated water that maintains piping protection while significantly improving cleaning effectiveness
3Productivity
If air is introduced into water stream to enhance cleaning, then cleaning effectiveness improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses air as a simple intermediary that can be introduced through relatively straightforward injection devices. The air-water mixing mechanism relies on natural flow dynamics and pressure differentials rather than complex mechanical systems, maintaining showerhead simplicity while achieving enhanced cleaning through aerated water
4Productivity
If more water is used to compensate for low cleaning effectiveness, then cleaning coverage is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the water's cleaning parameters by aerating it with air molecules. This transformation allows the same volume of water to provide enhanced cleaning effectiveness, reducing the need to use additional water and thereby decreasing the energy required to heat and supply extra water
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 assembly produces oxygen-enriched water with larger droplets and increased force, improving cleaning efficiency and reducing water and energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
A showerhead assembly featuring a vortex chamber that increases water velocity and introduces air molecules by swirling the water before expelling it through nozzles
Implementation Method 2
enhancing the aspirating effect and oxygen enrichment
Data Source
AI summary
A water spraying assembly is provided which includes a fluid conduit, a vortex chamber, an intermediate chamber, and a nozzle chamber. The intermediate chamber has a constricted section which increases the velocity of water that passes through the nozzle chamber. Further, the nozzle has one or more holes which project through the nozzle chamber's sidewall where the intermediate chamber enters into the nozzle chamber. The vortex chamber is positioned between the fluid conduit and the intermediate chamber. The vortex chamber rotates the flow of water around the showerhead's longitudinal axis before the water enters the nozzle's intermediate chamber. This causes the water to swirl within the intermediate chamber and nozzle chamber to increase the effect of air aspirating into water within the showerhead's nozzle.