Elastic Spout Apparatus for Scale Removal via Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Spout apparatuses utilizing Karman vortices face maintenance challenges due to scale buildup in regions with high calcium content, as the scale adheres to internal surfaces and is difficult to remove, disrupting the vortex generation and oscillation of water flow.
Innovation Solution
A spout apparatus with an oscillating element featuring a soft, elastically deformable spout port passage and vortex generating passage, allowing users to manually deform and remove scale from hard-to-reach areas, ensuring continued vortex generation and oscillation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the spout apparatus uses a fixed rigid structure for the vortex generating passage, then the manufacturing precision and structural stability are improved, but the ease of maintenance deteriorates when scale adheres to internal surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The passage is designed with elastic deformability, allowing it to dynamically change shape when external force is applied. This enables the passage to transition from a fixed rigid state during normal operation to a deformed state during maintenance, allowing scale to be removed by deforming the passage structure itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical state of the passage changes from rigid to elastically deformable. By applying external force, the passage's shape parameter changes, allowing the gap dimensions to temporarily alter for scale removal, then return to original dimensions for continued vortex generation.
2Reliability
If the obstacle and inner walls are disposed further upstream to generate Karman vortices, then the vortex generation performance is improved, but the ease of operation for maintenance deteriorates as these locations become unreachable by user's hand
Solution Approach 1:
The passage structure serves itself for maintenance by being elastically deformable. When the user applies force to any accessible part of the passage, the deformation propagates upstream to the obstacle and inner walls, allowing scale removal at locations that would otherwise be inaccessible to the user's hand.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic deformability feature allows the passage to serve dual functions: generating Karman vortices during normal operation and enabling scale removal during maintenance. A single structural feature (elastic deformability) provides both vortex generation capability and maintenance accessibility.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If scale adheres to the obstacle or inner wall surfaces, then the duration of action of the spout apparatus deteriorates, but the device complexity increases if maintenance mechanisms are added
Solution Approach 1:
The passage is constructed as a flexible elastic structure rather than a rigid one. This flexible shell can be deformed by external force to remove scale, extending the service life without adding complex maintenance mechanisms such as detachable components or cleaning systems.
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
Enables easy maintenance and effective removal of scale, maintaining the desired oscillating spouting performance and extending the apparatus's durability and usability.
Implementation Method 1
the spout port passage is formed by a soft member capable of elastic deformation
Implementation Method 2
a fluid which has flowed into an antechamber 110 from an intake hole 114 first collides with an obstacle 116 having a triangular cross section, and disposed as an island within the antechamber 110. When the fluid collides, Karman vortices are alternately formed on the upper and lower sides of the obstacle 116, resulting in a vortex street.
Data Source
AI summary
To provide a spout apparatus which is easily maintainable by a user even when, in a fluid device utilizing Karman vortices, scale adheres to the Karman vortex generating portion. A spout apparatus for discharging hot or cold water while causing it to reciprocally oscillate, having a spout apparatus body and an oscillating element; whereby the oscillating element has a water supply passage, a vortex generating passage, and a spout port passage; the spout port passage is formed of an elastically deformable soft member and is attached to the spout apparatus body so that a user can manipulate the spout port passage to deform it; and the vortex generating passage is formed of an elastically deformable soft member, and is integrally formed with the spout port passage so that deformations of the spout port passage can be transmitted to this vortex generating passage.