Water jet reaming tool
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing toilet water jets are often restricted by mineral deposits, preventing the siphon stage of flushing due to lack of effective cleaning tools, with prior solutions either inadequate or impractical.
Innovation Solution
A hand-powered Water Jet Reaming Tool with a rotating reamer element and semicircular handle, featuring a metal mirror for visibility and torque transmission, designed to grind mineral deposits from under the toilet rim, available in two embodiments: one with separate parts for enhanced torque and another as a single piece for simplicity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hand-powered rotating reamer tool is used to grind mineral deposits, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases compared to simple wire hanger improvisations
Solution Approach 1:
The tool is divided into distinct functional components: a handle for torque application, a shaft for power transmission, and a reamer element for grinding. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The reamer element is designed to be self-sharpening through its rotational grinding action against the mineral deposits. The tool maintains its cutting effectiveness through use rather than requiring frequent maintenance or replacement.
2Power
If a separate-part construction with square shaft is used for maximum torque transmission, then power transmission efficiency is improved, but ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The handle, shaft, and reamer element are combined into a single integrated construction in one embodiment, eliminating the need for separate parts and simplifying manufacture while maintaining adequate torque transmission for the application.
3Ease of manufacture
If a single-piece metal construction is used for simplicity, then ease of manufacture is improved, but torque transmission capability decreases compared to separate-part designs
Solution Approach 1:
The single-piece tool features a tapered reamer element with varying cross-sectional dimensions along its length. This local variation in geometry optimizes both the structural integrity for torque transmission and the grinding effectiveness at the working end.
4Productivity
If aggressive grinding edges are used to remove mineral deposits quickly, then productivity is improved, but difficulty of detecting and measuring the cleaning progress increases
Solution Approach 1:
A mirror is attached to the tool as an intermediary device, allowing the user to visually observe the cleaning progress and water jet condition from a safe distance. This mediator overcomes the visibility problem created by the aggressive grinding action in hard-to-reach locations.
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
Effectively removes mineral deposits, restoring efficient water flow and flush action without requiring toilet replacement, with the tool being easy to use and maintain, and demonstrating improved water tank emptying and flush performance.
Implementation Method 1
a reamer element with a point for grinding mineral deposits to dust
Data Source
AI summary
The water jet reaming tool can avoid the need to replace a toilet (17). The curved handle (19) allows the user to stay at arm's length away from the difficult removal of mineral deposits (13) which prevent sufficient clean water (14) to flush the toilet. A reamer element (12) stands ready at the other end of the handle (19) to enter a clean water jet (15) under the toilet inner rim (16). The user views (11) the water jet (15) and the point 26 via lines of sight (18) from the reflection in the metal mirror (30) attached to the reamer element (12). The user's wrist motions cause the handle (19) to rotate the reamer element (12) and grind the mineral deposits (13) to dust.