Magnetically Coupled Jet Assembly for Spa Motor Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional spa devices face issues with water ingress into motors, leading to costly replacements and complex maintenance due to worn seals, and have difficult-to-clean designs with inaccessible light sources, resulting in downtime and high maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
A magnetically coupled motor and jet assembly system with a fluid guider and integrated light source, where the motor drives a magnetic array to rotate an impeller, creating a pressurized fluid stream and allowing for easy maintenance and illumination of the fluid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional seals are used to prevent water from entering the motor, then water ingress is prevented, but the seals wear over time leading to motor burnout and expensive replacements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the impeller from the motor housing, creating a separate magnetically coupled jet assembly. This eliminates the need for seals between the motor and impeller, as the impeller is now a separate component driven by magnetic coupling through the housing wall, preventing water ingress while simplifying the overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a magnetic field as an intermediary to transmit rotational force from the motor to the impeller without direct mechanical contact. The magnetic array in the motor housing interacts with the impeller magnets through the housing wall, enabling power transmission while maintaining water-tight separation.
2Productivity
If extensive piping systems are built into the spa device to transport water, then water transport is achieved, but the spa device becomes difficult to clean and requires complicated maintenance schedules
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fluid handling system by positioning the jet assembly with inlet and outlet apertures directly on the motor housing. This eliminates the need for extensive internal piping, allowing water to be drawn in and discharged through accessible external openings, greatly simplifying cleaning and maintenance.
3Illumination intensity
If a light source is associated with the spa device, then illumination is provided, but replacing or repairing the light source becomes time-consuming and complicated when not easily accessible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the light source with the jet assembly by positioning it within the same housing structure. This integration allows the light source to illuminate the fluid stream effectively while remaining easily accessible for replacement or repair through the same serviceable housing that contains the jet components.
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 system effectively prevents water ingress, reduces maintenance complexity, and provides a cleaner and more efficient fluid distribution while allowing for easier light source management, minimizing downtime and maintenance costs.
Implementation Method 1
a motor assembly having a motor and a magnetic array such that the motor is configured to drive the magnetic array
Implementation Method 2
The jet assembly includes an impeller positioned within a cavity of the jet assembly and configured to rotate within the cavity when the magnetic array is driven
Implementation Method 3
rotation of the impeller causes the first fluid to flow into the inlet aperture and out the outlet aperture
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus including a motor assembly having a motor. A jet assembly coupled to the motor assembly having an inlet and outlet aperture. An impeller configured to rotate causing a first fluid to flow into the inlet aperture and out the outlet aperture. A fluid guider that includes at least one wall member defining a first channel configured to guide the first fluid from the inlet aperture into the cavity. Additionally, the fluid guider includes at least one post defining a second channel extending through the post. The second channel configured to guide the first fluid from the cavity towards the outlet aperture and output the first fluid at an oblique angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the post. A second fluid channel member configured to provide a second fluid out the outlet aperture. A light source configured to illuminate the first fluid.