Tap Power Supply Rotor Tangential Nozzle Flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power supply solutions for tap components, such as shower heads, face challenges in efficiently powering lighting means, including high costs, risks of electric shock, limited battery duration, and turbine inefficiencies and jamming due to lime scale buildup, especially for small water flows.

Innovation Solution

A power supply device with a rotor connected to a power generator, utilizing the kinetic energy of water flow to generate electricity, featuring a distributor and nozzles that direct fluid tangentially to the rotor, creating a spiral movement to generate torque and electricity, while being easily maintainable and free from direct electrical connections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If traditional turbines are used to generate electricity from water flow, then power can be generated for lighting means, but the turbines are subject to jamming due to lime scale buildup and have limited duration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectricity generationVSAvoidturbine functioning
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical turbine system with a magnetic field-based generator. The generator comprises stator windings and a rotor with permanent magnets, eliminating moving mechanical parts that are susceptible to lime scale buildup and jamming. The system generates electricity through electromagnetic induction as water flow turns the rotor, maintaining reliability while preserving power generation capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental operating parameters of the power generation system by transitioning from mechanical direct contact (turbine blades touching water) to magnetic field interaction. This parameter change allows the system to operate reliably with small water flows while avoiding the mechanical wear and jamming issues that limit traditional turbine duration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Power

If batteries are used to power lighting means in tap components, then power can be provided, but the batteries have limited duration and require regular replacement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower supplyVSAvoidbattery duration
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs self-service by using the kinetic energy of the water flow itself to generate electricity continuously. The generator converts the mechanical energy of flowing water directly into electrical power, eliminating the need for external battery replacement. The system sustains itself as long as water flows through the tap component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Power

If transformers are used to reduce voltage for power supply, then lighting means can be powered, but the solution is expensive and entails risks of electric shock

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage reductionVSAvoidelectric shock risk
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces electrical transformation systems (transformers) with a direct electromagnetic generation system. The generator produces electricity at the required voltage level directly through electromagnetic induction, eliminating the need for separate voltage transformation stages and associated safety risks. The system generates safe, isolated electrical power suitable for lighting means without direct connection to high-voltage supplies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 solution provides efficient and reliable electricity for lighting and other devices, even with reduced water flows, without the risks of electric shock or turbine jamming, and allows for easy cleaning and maintenance.

Implementation Method 1

a rotor (16) able to receive a flow of fluid dispensed, wherein the rotor (16) is fitted so as to rotate around a rotation axis X-X

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectKinetic energy conversion: Turbine

Implementation Method 2

The rotor (16) is operatively connected to power generator means (24) able to generate electricity following the rotation of the rotor (16)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2577044B1Power supply device for a tap component and tap component thereof
Publication Date: 2015.11.11 CRS SPA
  • EP2577044B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2577044B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2577044B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

Power supply device (4) for tap components (8) comprising a rotor turning around a rotation axis (X-X), and operatively connected to power generator means (24) and to a conveyor (66) able to receive the flow of fluid and to convey it towards the rotor (16). The rotor (16) comprises at least one pair of discs (40), overlapping along said rotation axis (X-X), so as to define a supply chamber (44) which extends from an outer rim (48) receiving fluid in input to an inner rim (52) which distributes said fluid towards at least one exit duct (56). The conveyor (66) comprises at least one first nozzle (68) which conveys the jet of fluid from the outer rim (48) of the supply chamber (44) of the rotor (16) in a substantially tangential direction (T-T), perpendicular to said rotation axis (X-X) and not incident with the latter.