Movable Scattering Suppression Member for Toilet Bowl Sprayer

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sanitary washing devices for toilet bowls often cause discomfort as water jets from the toilet bowl washing nozzle scatter and adhere to the user's hips or legs, leading to dirt accumulation on the toilet bowl surface.

Innovation Solution

A sanitary washing device equipped with a sprayer that jets water to the toilet bowl surface and a movable-type scattering suppression member, which rotates from a closed to an open position to prevent water droplets from scattering upwards, thereby reducing discomfort and dirt adherence.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If water is jetted from the toilet bowl washing nozzle to clean the toilet bowl surface, then the toilet bowl surface is cleaned, but water scatters and adheres to the user's hips or legs causing discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetoilet bowl cleaning effectivenessVSAvoidwater scattering to user

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A scattering suppression member is introduced as an intermediary element between the toilet bowl washing nozzle and the user. This member intercepts and redirects scattered water droplets, preventing them from reaching the user's body while allowing the water jet to effectively clean the toilet bowl surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The scattering suppression member is divided into multiple segments or sections that can independently adjust to control water flow in different directions. This segmentation allows precise management of water trajectories to maximize cleaning effectiveness while minimizing scatter to the user.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a scattering suppression member is added to prevent water from scattering to the user, then water scattering is suppressed, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater scattering suppressionVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The scattering suppression member is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position and orientation based on operational conditions. This dynamic capability enables effective water scattering suppression while maintaining a compact structure that does not significantly increase device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The scattering suppression member is integrated with existing device components, merging multiple functions into a single structural element. This integration approach prevents water scattering while avoiding the need for separate additional components that would increase device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the scattering suppression member is made movable between closed and opened positions, then water scattering control is improved, but the ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater scattering controlVSAvoidoperation convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The scattering suppression member is designed to automatically transition between open and closed positions based on the operational state of the toilet washing system. It opens automatically when washing is needed and closes automatically when not in use, eliminating the need for manual operation and maintaining ease of use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that detect the washing operational state and automatically control the scattering suppression member's position. This feedback-based automation ensures the member is in the correct position without requiring user intervention, maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

Effectively suppresses water scattering and dirt adherence to the user's skin and the toilet bowl surface, ensuring a clean and comfortable experience while maintaining the device's functionality and size efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a sprayer that jets a liquid to a surface of a toilet bowl portion of the toilet bowl

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid jet: Jet

Implementation Method 2

a movable-type scattering suppression member that is movable between a closed position and an opened position and suppresses the liquid jetted from the sprayer from scattering to an upper surface side of the toilet bowl

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical barrier blocking: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentUS10487488B2Sanitary washing device

Publication Date: 2019.11.26 LIXIL CORP

AI summary

A sanitary washing device includes: a sprayer that jets a liquid to a surface of a toilet bowl portion of a toilet bowl; and a movable-type scattering suppression member that is movable between a closed position and an opened position and suppresses the liquid jetted from the sprayer from scattering to an upper surface side of the toilet bowl at the opened position.