Washing Outlet Atomizer with Movable Spray Shaper
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing showerheads fail to provide an adjustable and efficient atomized spray that is customizable to user preferences while maintaining reduced flow rates and elevated pressure, leading to potential asymmetry and turbulence in the water distribution.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates an adjustable spray shaping mechanism with a movable outer spray shaper relative to a fixed inner spray shaper, allowing for decoupled adjustment of spray width and homogenization, along with a cartridge system that includes a micro-filter and diversion elements to ensure efficient and even water distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a conventional showerhead design is used, then the water flow rate is high, but the spray homogeneity and atomization quality are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The showerhead employs multiple atomizers (at least two) arranged to create intersecting water jets. Each atomizer segments the water flow into separate jets that collide and mix, creating homogeneous atomized spray. This segmentation allows reduced individual flow rates while maintaining overall spray quality through the combined effect of multiple jets.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces air as an intermediary substance that mixes with the colliding water jets. The air entrainment in the jet collision zone enhances atomization and spray homogeneity. This intermediary medium allows the system to achieve better spray quality at lower water flow rates by utilizing air-water mixing rather than relying solely on high water volume.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the spray pattern is made adjustable, then user preference adaptability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the atomizer assembly movable relative to the outlet body along the spray axis. This dynamic positioning allows users to adjust the spray pattern by changing the distance between the atomizer and the outlet. The simple linear movement mechanism provides adaptability without requiring complex multi-degree-of-freedom adjustment systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable atomizer position serves multiple functions simultaneously: it controls spray pattern width, adjusts spray distance, and influences spray distribution. This single adjustment mechanism provides universal control over multiple spray characteristics, avoiding the need for separate mechanisms for each parameter and thereby reducing overall device complexity.
3Shape
If the outlet passage is made longer to concentrate the spray pattern, then spray concentration improves, but the device length increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of concentrating spray solely through axial passage length, the patent utilizes the radial dimension by arranging multiple atomizers to create intersecting jets. The spray concentration is achieved through the spatial arrangement and intersection angle of multiple jets in three-dimensional space, rather than relying only on extended axial passage length. This dimensional approach allows compact design while maintaining spray concentration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple water jets from different atomizers to create a concentrated spray pattern. The intersecting jets merge and interact in a compact region, achieving spray concentration through jet collision and mixing in a short passage. This merging of multiple flow paths allows concentration without requiring a single long passage, reducing the overall outlet length.
4Loss of substance
If high pressure is used to maintain reduced flow rate, then water saving improves, but turbulence and asymmetry in spray increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent deliberately uses asymmetric jet collision angles (non-parallel, non-perpendicular) to create stable mixed flow patterns. The asymmetric arrangement of atomizers and their intersecting jets at specific angles prevents symmetric instability that would occur with simple parallel or perpendicular arrangements. This controlled asymmetry in the jet intersection geometry stabilizes the spray pattern under high pressure while maintaining water conservation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes parameters such as jet collision angle, atomizer spacing, and passage cross-section dimensions to stabilize spray symmetry under high pressure. By carefully selecting and adjusting these geometric parameters, the system maintains symmetric spray distribution even when operating at elevated pressures with reduced flow rates, preventing turbulence-induced asymmetry.
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
This solution provides a customizable, homogeneous, and efficient atomized spray that reduces turbulence and asymmetry, enhancing the user experience by ensuring a smooth and even water distribution across a wide range of pressures and flow rates.
Implementation Method 1
at least one atomiser for generating an initial spray of atomised water... The atomiser comprises a nozzle set with two or more nozzles for creating impinging jets of water
Implementation Method 2
an atomiser generates a flow of a mixture of air and microscopic water droplets rather than macroscopic drops
Implementation Method 3
the initial spray flows through and is guided by an inner wall of an inner spray shaper and an inner wall of a outer spray shaper
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~7e
Figure 8~14
AI summary
An outlet (1) for a washing installation, the washing installation comprising a shower head (3) or a water tap, the outlet (1) comprising at least one atomiser (10) for generating an initial spray (13) of atomised water or a water-based mixture. The initial spray (13) flows through and is guided by an inner wall (15) of an inner spray shaper (14) and an inner wall (17) of a outer spray shaper (16), the outer spray shaper (16) being movable with respect to the inner spray shaper (14) along a common axis of the inner spray shaper (14) and the outer spray shaper (16).