Magnetic Foot Spa Pump Assembly for Leak-Free Sanitization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional foot spa tubs suffer from water leakage, motor failure, and sanitation challenges due to design flaws that allow water to enter the motor area and facilitate the accumulation of dirt, mold, and bacteria, making them difficult to clean and sterilize.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic pump system where a first magnetic drive member is coupled to a drive motor and a second magnetic drive member is attached to a blade, allowing for magnetic coupling without the need for shafts through the sidewall, enabling easy detachment for cleaning and sanitation, with a nozzle securely attached by magnetic attraction to prevent leakage and facilitate split flow for foot massage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional motor shaft system is used to drive the impeller, then the pump can circulate water effectively, but water leakage occurs around the shaft and motor failure risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical shaft connection with a magnetic coupling system. The motor drives a magnetic drive member that magnetically couples to a driven magnetic member, which in turn drives the impeller. This eliminates the need for a physical shaft passing through the tub wall, thereby preventing water leakage paths and protecting the motor from water exposure.
2Ease of operation
If the pump system uses a fixed installation with shafts and seals, then water circulation is achieved, but sanitization and cleaning become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The pump system is divided into separable components: the motor assembly mounted on the exterior of the tub and the impeller assembly mounted on the interior. The magnetic coupling allows these separated components to work together without physical connection through the tub wall. This segmentation enables easy removal and sanitization of the impeller assembly while leaving the motor assembly in place.
3Power
If axial shafts are used to connect the motor to the impeller, then power transmission is efficient, but water enters the motor area causing electrical issues
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic coupling system transmits rotational power from the motor to the impeller through magnetic fields rather than mechanical contact. The motor drives a magnetic drive member that creates a rotating magnetic field, which induces rotation in the driven magnetic member connected to the impeller. This non-contact power transmission eliminates shafts and seals, preventing water from reaching electrical 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 magnetic coupling system prevents water leakage, reduces maintenance complexity, ensures effective sanitation, and provides a safe and efficient circulation mechanism for foot spa tubs, enhancing user experience and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The first and second magnetic drive members are magnetically coupled to each other so that a rotatable blade for circulating liquids is drivingly coupled to a drive motor
Implementation Method 2
The nozzle is detachably securable to an interior surface of the sidewall by a magnetic attraction force between the first and second magnetic drive members
Data Source
AI summary
A foot spa tub includes a tub basin, a first magnetic drive member rotatably coupled to a drive motor, and a first casing supporting the magnetic drive member. The first casing is disposed against an exterior surface of a sidewall of the basin. A second magnetic drive member is rotatably coupled to a blade. The first and second magnetic drive members are magnetically coupled to each other so that the blade is drivingly coupled to the drive motor. A nozzle houses the second magnetic drive member and the blade. The nozzle is detachably securable to an interior surface of the sidewall by a magnetic attraction force between the first and second magnetic drive members. A method of circulating liquid in a foot tub spa is also provided.