Light-Permeable Outflow Pipe Illuminates Water Jet
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sanitary fittings lack a simplified design that effectively illuminates the water jet for better visibility, especially in poor lighting conditions, and do not efficiently utilize the light source to enhance the cleaning process.
Innovation Solution
A sanitary fitting with a light-permeable water-carrying outflow pipe that has an exposed end face and an input face upstream, allowing light from a source to be input at the input face and output at the end face, which can be positioned advantageously for cleaning and illuminates the surroundings or the water jet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a lightguide element is integrated into a metal outflow pipe, then the water jet can be illuminated from outside, but the design becomes more complex and the manufacturing process becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the outflow pipe and lightguide into a single integrated component made of light-permeable material. The lightguide function is combined with the water-carrying function in one piece, eliminating the need for separate lightguide elements and reducing overall device complexity despite the added illumination capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The outflow pipe serves multiple functions simultaneously: it transports water, guides light from the light source, and acts as the illumination medium itself. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed and simplifies the overall design while achieving effective water jet illumination.
2Illumination intensity
If a light source is added to illuminate the water jet, then visibility during cleaning is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The light source is integrated directly into the outflow pipe structure, merging the illumination function with the water-carrying function. This integration simplifies manufacturing by reducing the number of separate components that need to be assembled, while still providing effective illumination for cleaning operations.
3Illumination intensity
If the outflow pipe is made from light-permeable material, then light can be transmitted to illuminate the water jet, but the structural strength and durability may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the outflow pipe from opaque to light-permeable (transparent or translucent) to enable light transmission. This parameter change allows the pipe to fulfill its illumination function while maintaining adequate structural strength through proper material selection and wall thickness design.
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 provides a simpler design that enhances visibility during cleaning by illuminating the water jet and its surroundings, improving the cleaning process even in low-light environments through strategic placement of the light source and light-permeable outflow pipe.
Implementation Method 1
A water-carrying outflow pipe (50) which is light-permeable, in particular transparent or translucent
Data Source
AI summary
A sanitary fitting includes a light-permeable water-carrying outflow pipe that has (i) an exposed end face and (ii) an input face located upstream of the exposed end face. A light source, preferably including light emitting diodes (LED), inputs light into the outflow pipe through the input face. The light emerges from the outflow pipe at the end face, and may also emerge at an exposed outer peripheral surface area of the outflow pipe. The outflow pipe has a stationary first outflow pipe piece with the input face and a rotatable second outflow pipe piece with the exposed end face.