Rotating Nozzle Assembly with Deflector Shield for Toilet Bowl Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing toilet bowl cleaning devices often limit cleaning to specific areas, failing to effectively cover the entire inner surface of the toilet bowl, and may not be suitable for automatic operation without risking exposure to users.
Innovation Solution
A device with a nozzle assembly that includes a reservoir, pump, and controller, allowing for manual or automatic fluid delivery to the nozzle, which can be rotated and equipped with deflector shields to ensure laminar flow and prevent fluid from spraying above the toilet bowl's rim, along with sensors to detect user presence and prevent spraying when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a fixed nozzle is used to spray cleaning fluid, then the device structure is simple, but the cleaning coverage is limited to one location
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle is made rotatable rather than fixed, allowing it to change its spraying direction dynamically. The nozzle assembly includes a rotatable nozzle body that can be positioned at different angles to spray cleaning fluid across multiple locations on the toilet bowl interior surface, thereby expanding the cleaning coverage area without requiring multiple fixed nozzles
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning function is divided into multiple directional spray zones by segmenting the nozzle's spraying capability. The rotatable nozzle can be positioned to target different segments of the toilet bowl interior (front wall, side walls, rear wall), allowing comprehensive coverage through sequential segmentation of the cleaning task
2Area of stationary object
If the nozzle sprays fluid upward to cover more area, then the cleaning coverage is improved, but fluid may spray above the toilet bowl rim and create harmful effects
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle incorporates a deflector shield with specifically shaped surfaces designed to redirect fluid flow in particular directions. The deflector shield creates localized flow patterns that direct spray along the interior surfaces of the toilet bowl while preventing upward spray that would exceed the bowl rim, thus maintaining effective cleaning coverage without creating harmful spray exposure
Solution Approach 2:
The deflector shield converts what would be harmful upward spray (fluid escaping above the rim) into beneficial downward and lateral flow patterns. By intercepting the upward-directed fluid and redirecting it along the bowl surfaces, the deflector shield transforms potential spray exposure into effective cleaning coverage of the interior surfaces
3Extent of automation
If the device operates automatically without user presence detection, then the operation is simpler, but it may spray fluid when users are present creating harmful effects
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates a sensor system that detects user presence and provides feedback to the control mechanism. The sensor monitors whether a user is seated on the toilet, and this information feeds back to the pump control system to automatically inhibit operation when users are present, eliminating harmful spray exposure while maintaining automatic operation benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The device takes preliminary action to prevent harmful effects by detecting user presence before initiating spray operation. The sensor system proactively identifies when users are seated and pre-empts any spray operation that would create harmful exposure, thereby preventing the harmful effect before it can occur while maintaining automatic operation capability
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 device ensures thorough cleaning of the entire toilet bowl surface while preventing accidental spraying on users, providing efficient and comprehensive cleaning without manual scrubbing.
Implementation Method 1
a pump for delivering fluid from the reservoir through the fluid conduit and to the nozzle when the pump assembly is activated
Implementation Method 2
The flow off of the deflector shield is laminar
Data Source
AI summary
A device for spraying an inner surface of a wall of an enclosure with a fluid is disclosed. The device includes a reservoir for the fluid, a nozzle assembly through which the fluid can be sprayed on the inner surface of the wall of the enclosure, a fluid conduit in fluid communication with the reservoir and the nozzle, a pump for delivering fluid from the reservoir through the fluid conduit and to the nozzle when the pump assembly is activated, and a controller in electrical communication with the pump wherein the controller executes a stored program to activate and deactivate the pump. The nozzle assembly includes a nozzle which directs the fluid in a fluid path, and the nozzle assembly further includes a deflection shield that is dimensioned to contact and redirect fluid in the fluid path, and the nozzle assembly further includes mounting structure for attaching the nozzle near the inner surface of the wall of the enclosure. The flow off of the deflector shield is laminar.