Curved Rack Guide for Compact Sanitary Washing Nozzle Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sanitary washing devices that advance and retreat with respect to a toilet are often too tall, making them unsightly and potentially cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A sanitary washing device with a flexible rack and rack guide featuring first and second curved portions in different directions, allowing the nozzle unit to be stored along the first curved portion, and a supporter with an upwardly convex surface to further suppress the device's height, while maintaining effective washing performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the nozzle unit is advanced and retracted using a linear rack guide, then the washing function is effective, but the device height increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rack guide is designed with curved portions instead of a straight linear path. The rack guide includes a first curved portion and a second curved portion that guide the rack through arc-shaped trajectories, allowing the nozzle unit to be stored in a compact position while maintaining effective washing coverage. This curvature enables the nozzle to reach the necessary positions without increasing the overall device height.
Solution Approach 2:
The rack guide transitions from a one-dimensional linear path to a two-dimensional curved path with multiple portions. The first curved portion and second curved portion create a complex spatial trajectory that allows the nozzle unit to be positioned effectively while reducing the vertical space required for storage and operation.
2Length of stationary object
If the device height is reduced for compactness, then aesthetics improve, but the washing performance may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The curved rack guide portions enable the nozzle unit to traverse an arc-shaped path that maintains adequate distance from the toilet bowl for effective washing. The curvature radius and arc angles are designed to ensure the nozzle reaches optimal washing positions while being stored compactly, thus preserving washing performance in a space-efficient configuration.
3Length of stationary object
If a flexible rack is used with curved guide portions, then the device becomes more compact, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rack guide incorporates curved portions with specific radius values (e.g., R1, R2) that are optimized to balance compactness and manufacturability. The curvature is designed to be smooth and continuous, avoiding sharp angles or complex geometries that would significantly increase manufacturing difficulty while still achieving the desired compact form factor.
Data Source
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AI summary
A sanitary washing device includes a casing, a nozzle unit configured to advance and retreat between the casing and a toilet, a flexible rack connected to the nozzle unit, a gear configured to engage the rack, a drive motor configured to advance and retract the nozzle unit by moving the rack via the gear, and a rack guide configured to guide the rack. The rack guide includes a first curved portion curved to be upwardly convex, and a second curved portion positioned further back than the first curved portion. The second curved portion includes a portion bent upward as the second curved portion extends backward.