Bidet Spray Valve Dial for Automatic Nozzle Self-Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bidet attachments are difficult to clean, especially when the spray nozzle becomes soiled or covered in dirt, feces, or other unwanted material, due to their location within the toilet bowl.
Innovation Solution
A bidet attachment system featuring a three-way ceramic valve fixture that automatically switches to a 'cleaning mode' when the dial is rotated from the 'on' to 'off' position, allowing water to spray from the nozzle for self-cleaning as well as cleaning the user's underside, utilizing a rotatable dial to control the flow between 'off', 'cleaning', and 'on' positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If bidet attachment is located within the toilet bowl for space efficiency, then space utilization is improved, but cleaning difficulty increases due to exposure to urine, debris, and accumulation in nooks and crevices
Solution Approach 1:
The bidet attachment performs self-cleaning by spraying water through its nozzle to clean itself and surrounding areas. The system uses its own water spray mechanism to automatically remove accumulated dirt, urine, and debris from the attachment and toilet bowl areas, eliminating the need for manual cleaning of hard-to-reach components
Solution Approach 2:
The bidet attachment serves multiple functions: it provides the primary bidet spray function for personal hygiene, and simultaneously performs self-cleaning of the attachment and surrounding toilet areas. The single device thus accomplishes both user cleaning and maintenance cleaning tasks
2Ease of operation
If conventional sponge or brush is used for cleaning bidet attachment, then cleaning capability is provided, but effectiveness is reduced due to difficulty reaching nooks and crevices
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring external cleaning tools like sponges or brushes that cannot effectively reach confined spaces, the bidet attachment cleans itself using its integrated water spray system. The spray nozzle directs water flow into nooks and crevices, effectively removing accumulated material from areas that manual tools cannot access
3Adaptability or versatility
If bidet attachment is exposed to urine, debris, and dust for functional operation, then hygiene function is achieved, but accumulation of unwanted material increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bidet attachment automatically removes accumulated urine, debris, and dust through self-cleaning spray cycles. The system uses water pressure to flush away unwanted material that accumulates on the attachment surface and in its crevices, maintaining cleanliness without manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The bidet attachment performs continuous or periodic self-cleaning actions to prevent accumulation of harmful materials. By repeatedly spraying water to remove debris, the system maintains hygiene functionality while preventing the buildup that would otherwise occur during normal operation
Data Source
AI summary
A bidet attachment system includes an attachment structure configured for removable attachment to a toilet bowl, a spray structure for spraying water, a rotatable dial located on a top side of the attachment structure, and a valve having an inlet section, a valve section downstream of the inlet section, the valve section regulating passage of water from the inlet section, an outlet section downstream of the valve section, wherein the outlet section includes a first outlet that allows for egress of water and a second outlet that allows for egress of water, wherein the valve section includes an adjustable control disc being mechanically coupled with the dial such that rotation of the dial rotates the control disc, the control disc having a first and a second channel bore, and a stationary disc downstream from the stationary disc having a first and a second channel bore.