Sanitary Washing Device Foam Nozzle Dirt Adhesion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sanitary washing devices do not effectively prevent dirt from adhering to the cleaning water nozzle, requiring periodic manual brushing to maintain cleanliness.

Innovation Solution

A sanitary washing device equipped with a foam generation unit that discharges cleaning foam onto the cleaning water nozzle, using a spray nozzle driven by a spray nozzle drive unit to prevent dirt adhesion, along with a control unit to manage the cleaning process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If water or hot water from a heat exchanger is used as cleaning water for washing dirt from the cleaning water nozzle, then the cleaning water nozzle can be washed, but residual dirt still adheres and deposits on the cleaning water nozzle requiring periodic manual brushing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic cleaning capabilityVSAvoidprevention of dirt adhesion
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state of the cleaning medium from liquid water to foam. The foam generation unit converts water into foam by incorporating air, creating a different physical form that adheres better to the cleaning water nozzle surface. This parameter change (from liquid to foam) enables more effective dirt removal without residual adhesion, solving the reliability issue while maintaining automatic operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces foam as an intermediary medium between the cleaning water nozzle and the dirt. The foam generation unit creates foam that acts as a mediator to carry cleaning agents and water to the nozzle surface more effectively than liquid water alone. This intermediary foam structure prevents direct contact between liquid water and the nozzle surface that causes residual dirt adhesion, while still enabling automatic cleaning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a spray nozzle is added to discharge cleaning foam onto the cleaning water nozzle, then dirt adhesion is prevented, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of dirt adhesionVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the spray nozzle function with the existing cleaning water nozzle structure. The spray nozzle is integrated into the cleaning water nozzle assembly, allowing it to discharge cleaning foam directly onto the cleaning water nozzle during the cleaning operation. This merging approach prevents dirt adhesion while minimizing the increase in device complexity by combining functions rather than adding completely separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The spray nozzle is designed to serve multiple functions: it discharges cleaning foam onto the cleaning water nozzle for automatic cleaning, and can also discharge cleaning water for other cleaning purposes. This multi-functionality reduces the overall device complexity by making the spray nozzle a versatile component that performs several operations rather than requiring separate dedicated components for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 device effectively prevents dirt from adhering to the cleaning water nozzle, reducing the need for manual cleaning and maintaining nozzle hygiene.

Implementation Method 1

a foam generation unit for generating cleaning foam

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFoam generation: Foam

Implementation Method 2

a heat exchanger for heating cleaning water

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentEP3279402B1Sanitary washing device
Publication Date: 2020.02.19 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD
  • EP3279402B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3279402B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3279402B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A sanitary washing device includes heat exchanger (700), cleaning water nozzle (831), cleaning water nozzle drive unit (860), foam generation unit (560) for generating a cleaning foam, spray nozzle (550) for discharging a cleaning water or cleaning foam into a toilet bowl. The sanitary washing device further includes discharge water amount variable unit (516) for variably changing a flow rate of the cleaning water or the cleaning foam, spray nozzle drive unit (550) for driving a discharge opening of spray nozzle (550) in a predetermined direction, opening and closing valve (530a) for opening and closing branch passage (530) to spray nozzle (550), a control unit, and an operation unit. The control unit performs control to discharge the cleaning foam from spray nozzle (550) to a surface of cleaning water nozzle (831). As a result, the sanitary washing device capable of preventing adhesion of dirt to cleaning water nozzle (831) with cleaning foam can be provided.