Integrated Flow Sensor and Vacuum Breaker for Compact Toilet Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sanitary washing devices, such as toilets, have units in the flow channel that are bulky, making it difficult to downsize the entire device.
Innovation Solution
The toilet device incorporates a heat exchanger in the flow channel to warm water, with a flow channel unit that includes a flow rate sensor and a vacuum breaker. The flow rate sensor and vacuum breaker are designed with case parts that form a continuous member, allowing for shared water flow paths and reducing the device's size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple units (flow rate sensor and vacuum breaker) are provided separately in the flow channel, then the device can perform flow detection and backflow suppression functions, but the device size becomes large and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the flow rate sensor and vacuum breaker into a single integrated flow channel unit. The sensor part housing and vacuum breaker housing are merged to form a unified structure that contains both functional components, allowing flow detection and backflow suppression to occur within the same spatial envelope rather than requiring separate units.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow channel unit serves multiple functions simultaneously: it houses the flow rate sensor for detecting water flow, contains the vacuum breaker for preventing backflow, and provides a integrated pathway for water flow. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated units for each function.
2Volume of moving object
If the flow channel units are integrated into a continuous member, then the device size is reduced, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
While the outer housing forms a continuous integrated structure, the internal components are segmented into distinct functional parts: the sensor part with its own housing, the vacuum breaker with its separate housing, and the flow channels. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and assembled independently while maintaining the overall compact integrated form.
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
This design allows for the downsizing of the toilet device by sharing water flow paths in the flow rate sensor and vacuum breaker, while also improving water leakage reliability and effectively suppressing empty-heating of the heat exchanger.
Implementation Method 1
The heat exchanger warms water supplied from the water supply source
Implementation Method 2
The vacuum breaker suppresses a backflow of water
Data Source
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AI summary
According to the embodiment, a toilet device includes a nozzle, a flow channel, a heat exchanger, and a flow channel unit. The flow channel unit is located upstream or downstream of the heat exchanger in the flow channel. The flow channel unit includes a flow rate sensor and a vacuum breaker. The flow rate sensor detects a flow rate of water. The vacuum breaker suppresses a backflow of water. The flow rate sensor includes a first case part and a sensor part. The sensor part is housed inside the first case part. The vacuum breaker includes a second case part and a valve part. The valve part is housed inside the second case part. At least a part of the first case part and at least a part of the second case part is formed of a continuous member.