Manual Bidet Sprayer Arm for Direction and Flow Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bidet features in toilets often incorporate expensive and complex components, such as electronic motors and control systems, making them costly and difficult to operate intuitively for user-specific cleaning needs.

Innovation Solution

A manually operated bidet assembly with a sprayer, water supply system, and a pivoting arm that allows users to control the direction and flow of water, eliminating the need for expensive components and enabling adaptable cleaning characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If electronic motors and control systems are used in bidet features, then automated operation is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomated bidet operationVSAvoidcomplexity of electronic components

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bidet system allows users to manually control water flow and sprayer positioning themselves through simple mechanical interfaces (lever and movable support), eliminating the need for complex electronic motors and control systems while maintaining operational functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent removes electronic motors and control systems from the bidet assembly, retaining only the essential water spray function controlled by simple mechanical means, thereby reducing device complexity and cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Extent of automation

If electronic motors and control systems are used in bidet features, then automated operation is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomated bidet operationVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs simple, inexpensive mechanical components (lever, movable support, spray nozzle) instead of expensive electronic motors and control systems, making the bidet assembly more cost-effective to manufacture while maintaining functional utility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

By removing expensive electronic components and retaining only essential mechanical functions, the patent reduces manufacturing cost while preserving the core bidet functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Device complexity

If fixed bidet sprayer positioning is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to user preferences decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of bidet structureVSAvoidadaptability to cleaning preferences

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a movable support that allows the spray nozzle to be repositioned along the support structure, enabling users to adjust the spray position and angle according to their personal cleaning preferences while maintaining overall system simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9976293B2Manual bidet

Publication Date: 2018.05.22 KOHLER CO(US)

AI summary

According to an exemplary embodiment, a bidet assembly for a toilet generally includes a sprayer, a water supply system, and an arm. The sprayer is configured to spray water. The water supply system is configured to selectively communicate water from one or more water sources to the sprayer. The arm is operationally coupled to the water sprayer and the water supply system. The arm is configured such that rotation of the arm acts to rotate the sprayer and the arm forger comprises a feature configured to allow control of the amount of water flow from the water supply to the sprayer.