Spa Tub Sprayer Thermal Meter and Magnetic Pump Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Spa devices face challenges such as sanitization issues due to workers touching water, ineffective fluid detection with liners, motor seal wear causing costly replacements, difficult maintenance, and vibration noise from misaligned magnetic coupling-type pumps.
Innovation Solution
A spa tub with a sprayer featuring a thermal meter or gauge for contactless temperature measurement, a pump assembly mounted to the basin for massage therapy, and a liner or air dispenser, along with improved sealing and alignment to reduce vibration noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If workers touch water to gauge temperature, then temperature sensing is simple and direct, but sanitization issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical method of temperature sensing (touching water with hand) with a thermal meter that uses thermal conduction through a sprayer component. The thermal meter measures temperature contactlessly relative to the worker, eliminating direct skin contact with water while maintaining accurate temperature gauge.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If traditional water sensors are used with liners, then fluid detection should work, but liners block sensor detection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a fluid sensor that can detect water level through the liner material. The sensor acts as an intermediary detection device that penetrates or senses through the liner barrier, allowing fluid level detection without direct contact with water, thus maintaining both liner protection and sensor functionality.
3Reliability
If seals are used to prevent water entry in motors, then motor protection is improved, but seal wear causes motor burnout
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical seal system with a magnetic coupling mechanism. The motor shaft is magnetically coupled to the impeller through a non-contact magnetic field, eliminating the need for physical seals that wear over time. This substitution of magnetic coupling for mechanical sealing prevents water infiltration without the wear issues of traditional seals.
4Reliability
If magnetic coupling-type pumps are used, then motor wet operation is prevented, but misalignment causes vibration noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses misalignment issues by incorporating adjustment mechanisms that allow precise positioning of the motor shaft and impeller alignment. By changing the alignment parameters through adjustable mounting positions or correction mechanisms, the system maintains optimal magnetic coupling alignment, reducing vibration and noise while preserving the benefits of magnetic coupling.
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
Enhances sanitization, maintains pump efficiency, simplifies maintenance, and reduces downtime by allowing contactless temperature measurement and improved alignment for reduced vibration noise.
Implementation Method 1
a sprayer with a thermal meter or gauge so that a worker or employee does not need to touch or feel the water and/or fluids to gauge the temperature of the water and/or fluids
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to a spa tub (and to a spa chair that includes a spa tub) that has a sprayer with a thermal meter so that an employee does not need to touch or feel the water and/or fluids to gauge the temperature of the water and/or fluids. The spa tub may also have a water pump and/or an air pump assembly that is designed and configured to be mounted to the wall of a basin for providing massage therapy to a user. In addition, the spa tub may additionally have a liner and/or an air dispenser. As a non-limiting embodiment, a spa chair includes a spa tub, a basin, a mounting housing member, and a sprayer with a thermal meter. The spa chair may also include a jet assembly, an air pump assembly a spa base, a gasket or seal, an air dispenser, and/or a liner.