Bidet Generator Housing Segmentation for Pressure and Eddy Currents

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional generators used in bidets suffer from reduced power generation efficiency due to eddy current losses and instability under internal pressure, which affects the quantity of power generated.

Innovation Solution

A generator design featuring an upper and lower housing with a larger diameter through-hole for the rotating shaft, a bearing, and communication holes connecting the impeller and magnet spaces, along with a thicker bottom portion in the lower housing to reduce eddy current losses and enhance stability, while maintaining a thin gap between the bobbin and magnet for efficient power generation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the housing is formed of metal to endure internal pressure with small thickness, then stability against internal pressure is secured, but power generation efficiency decreases due to eddy current loss

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability against internal pressureVSAvoidpower generation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into two parts: a metal housing portion for enduring internal pressure and a non-metallic (resin) housing portion for preventing eddy current loss. This segmentation allows each material to perform its optimal function without the drawbacks of using a single material for the entire housing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The housing is constructed as a composite structure combining metal and non-metallic materials. The metal portion provides mechanical strength to withstand water pressure, while the non-metallic portion eliminates eddy current losses, achieving both requirements simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If the thickness of the housing is increased to endure internal pressure, then stability against internal pressure is improved, but the distance between the bobbin and magnet is increased, decreasing power generation efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability against internal pressureVSAvoiddistance between bobbin and magnet
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The housing thickness requirement is segmented between different materials: the metal portion provides structural strength with minimal thickness, while the non-metallic portion fills the remaining space without causing eddy currents, thus maintaining both structural integrity and electromagnetic efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

By using composite materials with different thicknesses optimized for their respective functions, the design achieves adequate structural strength while minimizing the distance between the bobbin and magnet for optimal power generation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Loss of energy

If the seal unit is removed to eliminate friction on the rotating shaft, then power generation efficiency is improved, but water flows into the magnet causing instability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower generation efficiencyVSAvoidstability of magnet
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing acts as an intermediary component between the rotating shaft and the housing, providing a low-friction interface that minimizes energy loss while maintaining proper sealing to prevent water from reaching the magnet.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing function is extracted from the traditional seal unit and implemented through the bearing and housing structure combination, eliminating the need for a separate seal unit that would cause friction while still preventing water intrusion to the magnet.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 achieves improved power generation efficiency and stability against internal pressure, increasing the quantity of power generated while minimizing eddy current losses.

Implementation Method 1

As the impeller 20 is rotated, the magnet 40 is rotated integrally with the impeller 20 to generate a current in the coil bobbin 51 serving as the stator

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a bearing which is disposed in the through-hole... The bearing reduces friction between the rotating shaft and the through-hole

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction reduction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3336266B1Generator and bidet comprising the same
Publication Date: 2019.06.26 WOONGJIN COWAY
  • EP3336266B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3336266B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3336266B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A generator includes: an upper housing and a lower housing; a water inlet and a water outlet provided in the upper housing; an impeller rotatably fixed inside the upper housing; a magnet provided in the lower housing, connected to a rotating shaft of the impeller, and rotated integrally with the impeller; and a bobbin positioned outside the magnet. A bearing through which the rotating shaft passes and a communication hole connecting a space for housing the impeller to a space for housing the magnet are disposed in an intermediate surface between the space for housing the impeller and the space for housing the magnet.