Curved Wash Nozzle Layout for Low-Profile Bidet Housings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sanitary washing devices with nozzles that advance and retreat in toilets have a high profile, which can be cumbersome and may lead to issues with liquid waste penetration and device cleanliness.
Innovation Solution
A sanitary washing device with a nozzle unit that is curved upwardly convex, allowing it to be stored in a more horizontal position, and a supporter that guides the nozzle's movement, enabling it to be positioned further forward when extended, while using a flexible rack and gear system for controlled advancement and retraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the nozzle unit is stored in a vertical or inclined position, then the device structure is simpler, but the height of the sanitary washing device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The washing nozzle is designed with a curved shape that is upwardly convex, allowing it to be stored in a horizontal position within the casing. This curvature enables the nozzle to fit into a compact horizontal storage space, reducing the vertical height of the device while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle unit is oriented horizontally rather than vertically when stored, changing the spatial dimension from vertical to horizontal. This dimensional change allows the nozzle to be positioned parallel to the toilet seat, significantly reducing the height of the sanitary washing device while keeping the overall structure simple.
2Ease of operation
If the nozzle unit is positioned further forward for effective washing, then washing performance is improved, but the device height increases
Solution Approach 1:
The curved, upwardly convex shape of the washing nozzle allows it to extend forward horizontally while maintaining a compact vertical profile. The curvature enables the nozzle to reach the optimal washing position without increasing device height, as it follows a horizontal arc rather than a vertical extension.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle unit is designed to be movable between a stored horizontal position and an extended washing position. This dynamic capability allows the nozzle to be positioned further forward during operation for effective washing, while returning to a compact horizontal storage position when not in use, thereby avoiding permanent height increase.
3Length of stationary object
If the nozzle is curved upwardly convex and stored horizontally, then device height is reduced, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle unit is segmented into modular components including the washing nozzle, supporter, and rack mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be independently designed and optimized, with the curved nozzle shape being a separate structural element from the movement mechanism, thereby managing overall complexity while achieving height reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The supporter acts as an intermediary component between the nozzle unit and the rack mechanism. It provides structural support and guidance for the curved nozzle, simplifying the overall mechanism by separating the structural support function from the movement control function, thereby reducing mechanism complexity while maintaining the horizontal storage configuration.
4Manufacturing precision
If the nozzle unit is supported to be slidable on a curved surface, then positioning precision is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The supporter features a curved upper surface that guides the sliding movement of the nozzle unit. This curved surface provides natural positioning through its geometry, ensuring the nozzle follows a precise horizontal arc during movement. The curvature is designed to match the nozzle shape, simplifying manufacturing by using the same geometric form for both positioning and structural purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The curved surface of the supporter is designed to provide uniform guidance and support throughout the nozzle's movement range. By creating an equipotential sliding surface with consistent curvature, the mechanism achieves precise positioning without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining positioning precision.
Data Source
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, a rack guide configured to guide the rack, and a supporter supporting the nozzle unit so that the nozzle unit is slidable. The nozzle unit includes a washing nozzle curved to be upwardly convex. The supporter includes a nozzle placement part having an upper surface curved to be upwardly convex. The upper surface includes a top, a first inclined surface descending frontward from the top, and a second inclined surface descending backward from the top. The washing nozzle overlaps the top in a vertical direction when the washing nozzle is in a stored state.