External Cleaning Assembly for Internal Flow Path Sterilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional human body part washing devices face challenges in efficiently sterilizing and descaling their internal flow paths due to the inability to circulate sterilization or descaling liquids effectively within these paths.

Innovation Solution

A new-type cleaning device and method that includes a movable cleaning assembly outside the washing assembly, utilizing a water pump and intermediate device to circulate cleaning liquid through the internal flow path, allowing for thorough and efficient cleaning without occupying internal space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a sterilization component is arranged in the internal flow path to sterilize the internal flow path, then the sterilization function is improved, but the device complexity increases and the component cannot be removed from the washing device

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesterilization functionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning assembly is extracted from the internal flow path and positioned externally. The water pump circulates cleaning liquid from the external cleaning assembly through the internal flow path, enabling sterilization without permanently installing components inside the flow path. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining sterilization function while reducing device complexity and enabling removable cleaning components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The water pump acts as an intermediary device that transfers cleaning liquid from the external cleaning assembly through the internal flow path. This mediator enables the cleaning function without requiring the cleaning assembly to be permanently integrated into the flow path, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining sterilization effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a sterilization component is arranged in the internal flow path, then the sterilization function is improved, but the sterilization liquid cannot circulate efficiently and is wasted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesterilization functionVSAvoidcleaning liquid
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The water pump creates a continuous circulation system where cleaning liquid flows from the external cleaning assembly through the internal flow path and returns to the cleaning assembly. This continuous circulation ensures the sterilization liquid is reused repeatedly, preventing waste and improving sterilization effectiveness through multiple passes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The circulation system recovers the cleaning liquid after it passes through the internal flow path, returning it to the cleaning assembly for reuse. This recovery mechanism prevents the loss of expensive sterilization liquid and maintains efficient sterilization function over extended periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Reliability

If an electrolytic cell is provided in the flow channel to produce sterilizing water, then the sterilization function is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesterilization functionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electrolytic cell functionality is extracted from the internal flow path and replaced by an external cleaning assembly containing pre-prepared sterilizing solution. The water pump circulates this external solution through the flow path, achieving sterilization without installing complex electrolytic equipment inside the washing device, thus reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Device complexity

If the cleaning assembly is arranged outside the washing assembly, then the device complexity is reduced and operational flexibility is improved, but the cleaning effectiveness may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidcleaning effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The water pump serves as an intermediary that bridges the external cleaning assembly and the internal flow path, ensuring effective delivery of cleaning liquid despite the external positioning. This mediator maintains cleaning effectiveness by providing sufficient flow pressure and circulation while allowing the cleaning assembly to remain external, thus reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The continuous circulation of cleaning liquid from the external cleaning assembly through the internal flow path and back ensures sustained cleaning effectiveness. The repeated circulation passes allow thorough cleaning without requiring the cleaning assembly to be internally positioned, maintaining effectiveness while reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 solution enables thorough cleaning of the internal flow path with minimal liquid usage, allowing for various cleaning functions and modes like sterilization and descaling, improving the cleaning effectiveness and operational ease.

Implementation Method 1

a water pump configured to reciprocatingly pump liquid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReciprocating pump: Pump

Data Source

PatentEP3269885B1New-type cleaning device and cleaning method thereof
Publication Date: 2019.12.25 XIAMEN AXENT
  • EP3269885B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3269885B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3269885B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A cleaning device of a human body local flushing device and a cleaning method thereof. The cleaning device comprises a partition switch (111) with a water flow partition function, a transfer device with at least one water inlet and a water outlet, a flushing assembly (3) for upwards ejecting flushing water to flush a local part of a human body, an inner flow path (2) at an upstream of the flushing assembly (3), an operating device adopting a corresponding element as an action response object, a water pump (4) for repeatedly pumping liquid and with the action controlled by the operating device, and a movable cleaning assembly (5) arranged outside the flushing assembly (3). The water outlet of the flushing assembly (3) is immersed in the cleaning liquid of the cleaning assembly (5) during a partial process of cleaning the inner flow path (2).