Elastic-Element Liquid Outlet Descaling for Low-Precision Production

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing descaling mechanisms for liquid outlet devices face issues such as high processing accuracy requirements, dependence on water pressure, and limitations in removing scale without affecting liquid output or spray patterns, leading to incomplete descaling and reduced performance.

Innovation Solution

A descaling mechanism with a driving mechanism that moves relative to the liquid outlet unit, utilizing elastic elements and driving members to elastically deform and remove scale, allowing for flexible deformation without strict size or shape restrictions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a needle is used to push out scale in the liquid outlet nozzle, then scale can be removed, but the needle must maintain a strict gap with the nozzle wall to avoid being wrapped, resulting in high processing accuracy requirements and incomplete scale removal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedescaling effectivenessVSAvoidneedle processing accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the descaling function from a rigid needle structure and transfers it to a flexible elastic element. The elastic element is inserted into the liquid outlet nozzle, and when liquid pressure acts on it, the element deforms to push out scale. This extraction allows the descaling mechanism to adapt to the nozzle interior without requiring precise dimensional control, as the elastic element can deform to match the nozzle's internal geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state of the descaling element from rigid (needle) to elastic (deformable). The elastic element's ability to change its shape and size in response to liquid pressure allows it to effectively push out scale while adapting to variations in nozzle dimensions, thereby eliminating the need for strict processing accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If water pressure is used to deform an elastic element for descaling, then scale can be broken and removed, but the descaling effect highly depends on water pressure, and when water pressure is insufficient, the elastic element cannot be sufficiently deformed to achieve descaling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedescaling effectivenessVSAvoiddependence on water pressure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic element is designed to be self-activating through the liquid pressure that naturally flows through the device. When liquid enters the liquid outlet nozzle, the pressure automatically deforms the elastic element, which in turn pushes out scale. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external actuators or additional energy input, making the descaling function inherently tied to the normal operation of the device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic element serves as an intermediary between the liquid pressure and the scale. Instead of liquid pressure directly removing scale (which may be ineffective), the elastic element mediates by deforming under pressure and mechanically pushing out the scale. This intermediary approach allows for more effective scale removal while reducing dependence on extreme pressure conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the number of liquid outlet nozzles is reduced to ensure sufficient water pressure for descaling, then the elastic element can be deformed effectively, but the liquid output amount decreases and spray pattern is affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelastic element deformationVSAvoidliquid output amount
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the liquid outlet into multiple nozzles, each equipped with its own elastic element. This segmentation allows each nozzle to independently perform descaling functions while maintaining overall high liquid output. The modular approach ensures that sufficient liquid pressure is available at each nozzle for effective scale removal without reducing the total number of nozzles, thereby preserving both productivity and descaling effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 mechanism effectively removes scale with reduced production costs and improved descaling efficiency, maintaining liquid flow and enabling adjustable spray patterns, enhancing user experience.

Implementation Method 1

the driving mechanism is configured to move to drive the one or more elastic elements to be elastically deformed, and the one or more elastic elements are elastically deformed to enable scale accumulated in the one or more liquid outlet nozzles to be fallen off

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3974063B1Descaling mechanism of liquid outlet device, liquid outlet device, shower and faucet
Publication Date: 2025.08.20 XIAMEN SOLEX HIGH TECH INDUSTRIES CO LTD
  • EP3974063B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3974063B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3974063B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present disclosure discloses a descaling mechanism of a liquid outlet device, a liquid outlet device, a shower and a faucet. The descaling mechanism of the liquid outlet device comprises a liquid outlet unit and a driving mechanism configured to move relative to the liquid outlet unit, the liquid outlet unit comprises one or more liquid outlet nozzles, the one or more liquid outlet nozzles comprise one or more elastic elements, the one or more elastic elements comprise one or more liquid outlets of the one or more liquid outlet nozzles, the driving mechanism cooperates with the one or more elastic elements, the driving mechanism is configured to move to drive the one or more elastic elements to be elastically deformed, and the one or more elastic elements are elastically deformed to enable scale accumulated in the one or more liquid outlet nozzles to be fallen off. It has the following advantages: the driving mechanism only needs to drive the one or more elastic elements to be deformed to achieve descaling, a matching accuracy requirement between the driving mechanism and the one or more liquid outlet nozzles is low, and a production accuracy requirement of the driving mechanism is low; the driving mechanism drives the one or more elastic elements to be deformed to avoid restriction from water flow conditions and to improve the descaling effect.