Foamer Flow Path Flushing to Prevent Hard Water Limescale

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing foamers experience limescale buildup, particularly when using hard water, leading to clogging of porous bodies and reduced homogeneity and flow rate of generated foam.

Innovation Solution

The water discharge device includes a foamer with a configuration where the agitation part is filled with fluid after discharge, using the same flow path for both foam and water discharge modes to wash the porous bodies with tap water, preventing limescale formation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If porous bodies are used in the foamer to generate foam, then foam generation capability is improved, but limescale clogging occurs in hard water conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefoam generation capabilityVSAvoidresistance to limescale clogging

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by flushing the agitation part with water after foam discharge to prevent limescale accumulation. This preventive measure is performed before limescale can clog the porous bodies, maintaining their performance over time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-service through automatic water flushing of the agitation part after foam discharge. The same flow path used for foam discharge is utilized to flush limescale, eliminating the need for separate cleaning mechanisms or disassembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Device complexity

If the same flow path is used for foam and water discharge, then device complexity is reduced, but limescale buildup may occur in the agitation part

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow path configurationVSAvoidlimescale buildup

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies continuity of useful action by using the same flow path for both foam discharge and water flushing operations. The flow path remains continuously active, and water flow continues through the agitation part after foam discharge to remove limescale, eliminating idle time and maintaining constant protective action.

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

Prevents limescale buildup in the porous bodies by maintaining the agitation part filled with fluid, ensuring consistent foam quality and flow rate.

Implementation Method 1

a foamer (5) that generates foam by agitating, in an agitation part, a gas-liquid mixture fluid obtained by mixing compressed air into mixed water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas-liquid mixture mixing:

Implementation Method 2

a foamer (5) that generates foam by agitating, in an agitation part, a gas-liquid mixture fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTurbulence: Turbulence

Data Source

PatentEP4685298A1Water discharge device

Publication Date: 2026.01.28 LIXIL CORP

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AI summary

A water discharge device includes a foamer 5. The foamer 5 includes: a flow inlet; an agitation part 46 that generates foam by agitating a fluid in which tap water, a liquid containing a foaming component, and air that flow in through the flow inlet are mixed; and a flow outlet 44 through which the foam is discharged. The foamer 5 is configured such that the agitation part 46 is filled with tap water after the foam is discharged.