Sanitary Washing Device Valve Unit Layout to Reduce Dead Space
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sanitary washing devices face challenges in compact design due to the placement of valve units with significant vertical lengths, which cannot be accommodated in the lower height front portion of the casing, leading to dead space inefficiencies and reduced compactness.
Innovation Solution
The sanitary washing device configures the valve unit with a vertical length less than its longitudinal or lateral length, allowing it to be positioned in the low portion of the casing, and further optimizes this by positioning the heat exchanger unit further back to maximize space utilization and reduce vertical height constraints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a valve unit with a great length in the vertical direction is used, then the valve unit can be disposed in the back portion of the casing with sufficient height, but the dead space in the front portion of the casing increases and compactness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The valve unit is reoriented from a vertical configuration to a horizontal configuration, changing the primary dimension of its length from vertical to longitudinal. This dimensional change allows the valve unit to fit into the low portion of the casing where vertical height is limited, while still accommodating the required valve functionality through extended longitudinal and lateral dimensions that match the available space in those directions.
2Volume of moving object
If the valve unit is disposed in the low portion of the casing, then dead space is reduced and compactness is enhanced, but the valve unit must have reduced vertical length which may affect its functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The physical parameters of the valve unit are changed by selecting a valve model with different dimensional characteristics. Instead of a valve with great vertical length, a valve unit with greater longitudinal and lateral dimensions is chosen. This parameter change allows the valve to maintain full functionality while adapting to the constrained vertical space in the low portion of the casing.
3Volume of moving object
If the valve unit is positioned in the low portion close to the controller, then space utilization is optimized, but water leakage may contact the controller causing malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
A waterproof seal or barrier is introduced as an intermediary element between the valve unit and the controller. This intermediary prevents water leakage from the valve unit from reaching the controller, thereby protecting the controller from malfunction while allowing the valve unit to be positioned in the space-optimized low portion of the casing near the controller.
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 configuration reduces dead space within the casing, enhances compactness, and prevents water leakage issues by strategically placing components to minimize contact with the controller and promote efficient heat transfer, thus preventing freezing and improving designability.
Implementation Method 1
The valve unit includes an electromagnetic valve
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A sanitary washing device includes a nozzle (473), a valve unit (430), a casing (400), and a toilet seat (200). The nozzle (473) is configured to discharge water toward an ano-genital region of a human body. The valve unit (430) is provided on a pipe line (20a) between a water supply source (10) and the nozzle (473), and includes an electromagnetic valve (432). The casing (400) stores the nozzle (473) and the valve unit (430). The casing (400) includes a low portion (410) positioned below the toilet (800), and a high portion (411) positioned backward of the low portion (410). A length in a vertical direction of the high portion (411) is greater than a length in the vertical direction of the low portion (410). The valve unit(430) is disposed in the low portion (410). A length in the vertical direction of the valve unit (430) is less than a length in a longitudinal direction, and less than a length in a lateral direction.