Sanitary Washing Device Nozzle Sterilization via Movable Mirror
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sanitary washing devices face challenges in effectively suppressing the growth of bacteria and mold in the nozzle storage part due to inadequate sterilizing light irradiation, which can lead to reduced sterilizing water concentration over time, and the use of multiple light sources increases costs and casing size.
Innovation Solution
A sanitary washing device with a controller that manages a single illuminator to irradiate sterilizing light both on the outer circumferential surface of the nozzle and the inner wall of the nozzle storage part, utilizing a first and second irradiation mode to ensure comprehensive sterilization without the need for additional light sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple illuminators are provided to irradiate sterilizing light on the inner wall of the nozzle storage part, then the sterilizing effect is improved, but the cost and casing size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a movable mirror that can change its reflection angle to dynamically redirect sterilizing light from a single illuminator to different target areas. The mirror moves between a first angle (irradiating the nozzle outer surface) and a second angle (irradiating the storage part inner wall), allowing one illuminator to perform the work of multiple fixed illuminators while maintaining comprehensive sterilization coverage
Solution Approach 2:
A single illuminator is designed to serve multiple functions by combining it with a movable mirror system. The same illuminator alternates between sterilizing the nozzle outer surface and the storage part inner wall, making the illuminator universal for both sterilization tasks rather than requiring separate dedicated illuminators for each area
2Reliability
If multiple illuminators are provided to irradiate sterilizing light on the inner wall of the nozzle storage part, then the sterilizing effect is improved, but the casing size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable mirror dynamically adjusts its position to redirect light from a single compact illuminator source, eliminating the need for multiple spatially distributed illuminators. This dynamic redirection allows comprehensive sterilization coverage within a compact casing volume, as the mirror acts as a space-efficient light routing mechanism rather than requiring additional light sources that would increase casing dimensions
3Device complexity
If sterilizing light is irradiated from above the private part washing nozzle, then the structure is simple, but the inner wall of the nozzle storage part in the shadow area cannot be sufficiently sterilized
Solution Approach 1:
The movable mirror serves as an intermediary element between the illuminator and the target surfaces. Instead of directly irradiating from above, the illuminator's light is first reflected by the mirror, which then redirects it to both the nozzle outer surface and the storage part inner wall. This intermediary reflection mechanism enables comprehensive sterilization coverage that direct irradiation cannot achieve, while keeping the illuminator structure itself simple
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 solution allows for effective sterilization of both the nozzle and storage part using a single illuminator, preventing bacterial and mold propagation while maintaining a compact casing design, thus enhancing hygiene and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
The illuminator irradiates sterilizing light into the nozzle storage part. The sterilizing light has a sterilizing action.
Data Source
AI summary
A sanitary washing device includes a nozzle, a casing, an illuminator, and a controller. The nozzle discharges water toward a private part of a user in a state of the nozzle is advanced into a toilet. The casing includes a nozzle storage part configured to store an entirety of the nozzle in a state of the nozzle is retracted. The illuminator irradiates sterilizing light into the nozzle storage part. The sterilizing light has a sterilizing action. The controller controls the illuminator. The controller includes a first irradiation mode of causing sterilizing light irradiated from the illuminator to be irradiated toward an outer circumferential surface of the nozzle. The controller includes a second irradiation mode of causing sterilizing light irradiated from the same illuminator as the first irradiation mode to be irradiated toward an inner wall of the nozzle storage part.