Bidet Nozzle Segmentation for Even Water Distribution

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sanitary washing apparatuses for female private parts on sit-down toilet stools often cause discomfort due to uneven water distribution and strong stimuli, particularly during menstruation, as they struggle to effectively wash a wide range quickly without unnecessary strong stimuli.

Innovation Solution

A sanitary washing apparatus with a nozzle that switches between two jetting modes: a first jetting mode for a narrower range and a second jetting mode for a wider range, using an impingement force suppression device to adjust flow velocity, flow rate, and air mixing to ensure comfortable washing by distributing water evenly and reducing stimuli.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If water is jetted with high flow velocity and strong force to wash quickly, then washing efficiency is improved, but strong stimuli are applied to the delicate area causing discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewashing efficiencyVSAvoidstrong stimuli to delicate area
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The nozzle is divided into multiple jetting ports (central port and peripheral ports) that can operate independently or in combination. This segmentation allows the water jet to be distributed across different areas, reducing concentrated force while maintaining overall washing efficiency. The central port provides focused washing for the vaginal opening area, while peripheral ports cover surrounding areas with gentler flow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the nozzle provide different jetting characteristics. The central jetting port delivers higher velocity water for effective washing of the vaginal opening, while the peripheral jetting ports deliver lower velocity water for gentler washing of surrounding areas. This local differentiation of jetting quality allows efficient washing without applying excessive force to sensitive areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Area of stationary object

If the washing range is widened to cover more area, then coverage is improved, but water force becomes weaker reducing washing effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewashing rangeVSAvoidwater force
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The nozzle incorporates multiple jetting ports arranged to cover different areas. The central port targets the vaginal opening with concentrated force, while peripheral ports extend coverage to surrounding areas with appropriate water force. This segmented approach maintains washing effectiveness across the entire washing range without sacrificing water force.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The jetting system transitions from a single-point jet to a multi-point distributed jet pattern. By arranging jetting ports in specific spatial configurations (central and peripheral positions), the system expands washing coverage in two dimensions while maintaining appropriate water force at each jetting location through optimized port design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Area of stationary object

If the nozzle moves to expand washing range, then coverage is improved, but user discomfort increases due to wide jetting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewashing rangeVSAvoiduser discomfort
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of moving the entire nozzle, the system uses multiple stationary jetting ports (central and peripheral) that simultaneously cover different areas. This eliminates the discomfort associated with nozzle movement while achieving wide coverage through the distributed arrangement of jetting ports.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system expands washing range by utilizing spatial arrangement of multiple jetting ports in different positions (central and peripheral) rather than through nozzle displacement. This dimensional approach to coverage eliminates movement-related discomfort while maintaining comprehensive washing capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 apparatus allows for comfortable bidet washing by adapting the impingement force to the desired range, efficiently washing a wider area without strong stimuli, especially during menstruation, by varying flow velocity and air mixing in the nozzle's design.

Implementation Method 1

a swirling chamber (423) provided with a protrusion (424) in the central portion, a large diameter inner peripheral wall (423e) having a larger diameter at the bottom and an inclined inner peripheral wall (423f) having a diameter shrinking toward a communication channel (425), and configured to swirl the water below the jetting port

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSwirling flow: Vortex Ring

Implementation Method 2

an air mixing section (435) configured to mix air into the water

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir mixing: Air Entrainment

Implementation Method 3

a deceleration device configured to decelerate the water squirted from the swirling chamber (423)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDeceleration:

Data Source

PatentEP2407602B1Sanitary washing apparatus
Publication Date: 2020.02.12 TOTO LTD
  • EP2407602B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2407602B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2407602B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

According to one embodiment, a sanitary washing apparatus includes a nozzle including a jetting port and configured to squirt water from the jetting port and to cause the water to impinge on female private parts. The nozzle is operable to switch between a first jetting and a second jetting. The first jetting squirts the water from the jetting port to cause the water to impinge on a first range of the female private parts, and the second jetting squirts the water from the jetting port more diffusively than the first jetting to cause the water to impinge evenly on a second range wider than the first range without moving the jetting port. The water is squirted so that flow velocity in the first range of the first jetting is slower than flow velocity in the second range of the second jetting.