Drainage channel optimization

Abstract

The present disclosure relates generally to blow-down passage optimization, in particular to a blow-down passage for a toilet bowl, including at least a weir, an upper leg including a first radius of curvature extending upstream of the weir, and a lower leg including a second radius of curvature extending downstream of the weir. The first radius of curvature and the second radius of curvature are selected to optimize water flow through the blowdown passage.

Description

[0001] Cross Reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 649,022 (Docket No.: 10222-24025B), filed May 17, 2024, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present application relates generally to toilet drainways. BACKGROUND

[0004] Generally, plumbing fixtures, such as toilets and urinals, include a sump that collects liquid and / or waste. The sump is fluidly connected to a bowl of the toilet or urinal through which liquid and / or other waste can enter the sump. The sump is also fluidly connected to a drainway that leads to a drain pipe or sewer. During a flushing operation, liquid and / or other waste flows from the sump through the drainway to the drain pipe or sewer. Water supplied to the sump from the drainway helps to remove liquid and / or other waste from the plumbing fixture during the flushing process. SUMMARY

[0005] The present application provides a drainway for a toilet, the drainway comprising:

[0006] a weir crest;

[0007] an upper leg comprising a first radius of curvature extending upstream of the weir crest; and

[0008] a lower leg comprising a second radius of curvature extending downstream of the weir crest.

[0009] The present application also provides a toilet, comprising:

[0010] a bowl;

[0011] a sump coupled to the bowl;

[0012] a drainway coupled to the sump, wherein the drainway comprises:

[0013] a weir crest;

[0014] an upper leg comprising a first radius of curvature extending upstream of the weir crest; and

[0015] a lower leg comprising a second radius of curvature extending downstream of the weir crest.

[0016] The application also provides a method comprising:

[0017] selecting a first size for a trapway of a toilet;

[0018] measuring a flow rate for the first size;

[0019] selecting a second size for a trapway of a toilet;

[0020] measuring a flow rate for the second size; and

[0021] comparing the flow rate for the first size to the flow rate for the second size. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0022] Exemplary embodiments are described herein with reference to the following figures.

[0023] Figure 1 An exemplary gravity-fed toilet is illustrated.

[0024] Figure 2 A toilet having a trapway with one or more structural components optimized for efficient water flow is illustrated.

[0025] Figure 3 Another toilet having a trapway with one or more structural components optimized for efficient water flow is illustrated.

[0026] Figure 4 A rear view of a trapway in Figure 2 or Figure 3 is illustrated.

[0027] Figure 5 Flow of water within a trapway in Figure 2 or Figure 3 is illustrated.

[0028] Figure 6 An exemplary controller for operating an optimization algorithm for selecting a size of a trapway in Figure 2 or Figure 3 is illustrated.

[0029] Figure 7 A flowchart for selecting a size of one or more structural components optimized for efficient water flow is illustrated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Before turning to the figures, which illustrate certain exemplary embodiments in detail, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures. It should also be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.

[0031] Generally, a sump waste removal fixture (e.g., a toilet or urinal) includes a sump that collects liquid and waste in the toilet or urinal. The sump waste removal fixture typically includes an orifice, which can be a jet orifice, for introducing water into a trapway of the fixture. The water can be used to help flush contents in the bowl and sump of the plumbing fixture. The contents of the bowl and sump can be discharged through the trapway to a drain pipe or sewer line. Some plumbing fixtures are made of a glass material by a solid casting process in which a hollow trapway is formed within the plumbing fixture using a sliding material or tube when the plumbing fixture is cast. A fluid passage directs fluid from a fluid supply to the jet orifice to assist with the flushing.

[0032] Figure 1 A toilet 100 is illustrated that includes a base 110 (e.g., a pedestal, a bowl, etc.) and a tank 120. The base 110 is configured to be attached to a flange of a trapway inlet, a floor, or another suitable object. The base 110 includes a bowl 111, a sump (e.g., a receptacle) disposed below the bowl 111, and a passageway that fluidly connects the bowl 111 to a drain pipe or sewer line. The base 110 also includes a pair of toilet mounting holes 112 through which respective bolts are inserted and fastened with respective nuts in order to secure the toilet 100 to a floor. The tank 120 can be supported by the base 110 (e.g., an upper surface of a rim 115). The tank 120 can be integrally formed with the base 110 as a single unitary body. In other embodiments, the tank 120 can be separately formed from the base 110 and coupled (e.g., attached, secured, fastened, connected, etc.) to the base 110. The toilet 100 can further include a tank cover 122 that covers an opening and an internal cavity in the tank 120. The toilet 100 can include a seat assembly 130 that includes a seat 131 and a seat cover 132 rotatably coupled to the base 110. The toilet 100 can further include a hinge assembly 135.

[0033] The toilet 100 is configured for gravity-fed flushing, in which water is released into the bowl under the force of gravity. When the water level in the bowl rises above the trapway, the siphon seal with the drain pipe or sewer line is broken, allowing water and other contents in the bowl to be flushed. Subsequently, the water in the bowl will return to an equilibrium level determined by the height of the weir of the trapway and the siphon seal with the drain pipe or sewer line is restored. The following embodiments provide examples of trapways, weirs, and surrounding structures for optimizing the flow of water and other bowl contents from the bowl, through the trapway, and into the drain pipe or sewer line.

[0034] Figure 2 An exemplary toilet is provided that includes a toilet bowl 10 coupled to a sump 23 leading to a trapway 30. InFigure 2 In particular, only the waterway of the toilet is illustrated. The waterway can be incorporated into a gravity-fed toilet as shown or other types of toilets, such as pressure-assisted toilets or flush toilets. The sump 23 can be coupled to a sump jet 20. In some examples, the sump jet 20 comprises an active jet, such as a pump driven by an electrical signal and comprising an impeller for propelling water through the sump jet 20 from the sump 23 to the trapway 30. In some examples, the sump jet 20 is a passive jet comprising a narrow passageway that causes the line pressure of the water to be amplified in order to propel water through the sump jet 20 from the sump 23 to the trapway 30. The water supply 21, which is directly coupled to or indirectly connected to a public water source through a water tank, can provide water through one or more armways 22 positioned around the bowl 10. The sump jet 20 can have various sizes or gauges comprising a jet radius or jet area Ajet. Figure 1

[0035] Downstream of the sump 23, the trapway 30 comprises an upper leg 11, a lower leg 13, and a dam portion 12 separating the upper leg 11 and the lower leg 13. A weir or dam portion located outside of the trapway 30 but supporting the trapway 30 can be located directly below the upper leg 11 and the lower leg 13 (e.g., at the weir crest 17). The upper leg 11 can be positioned from the sump 23 to the weir crest 17 at an angle Θ from horizontal.

[0036] Downstream of the lower leg 13 is a vertical portion 18 and a horizontal portion 15 combined by an ankle portion 14. Downstream of the horizontal portion 15, a spoon portion 16 connects the trapway 30 to an outlet 26. The outlet 26 can connect the trapway 30 to a drain line or sewer line for connection to a sewer system or septic system. Additional, different, or fewer components can be included.

[0037] Various lines or markers are illustrated along the trapway 30 to indicate example demarcation lines between these features of the trapway 30. The upper leg 11 can comprise a first radius of curvature Rup extending from a line LI to a line L2 at the weir crest 17. The lower leg can comprise a second radius of curvature Rdn extending from the line L2 to a line L3. The vertical portion 18 extends from the line L3 to a line L4.

[0038] A third radius of curvature Rak extends from the line L4 to a line L5. The third radius of curvature Rak defines the ankle portion 14 of the trapway 30. The horizontal portion 15 extends from the line L5 to a line L6. A fourth radius of curvature Rsp extends from the line L6 to a line L7 at the outlet 26. The fourth radius of curvature Rsp defines the spoon portion 16 of the trapway 30.

[0039] Figure 3 ​Another embodiment is illustrated in which one or more of the dimensions and specifications of the drain channel 30 and sump 20 have values that are different from the embodiment of Figure 3 In Figure 3 , the first radius of curvature Rup is smaller than the first radius of curvature Rup in Figure 2 . Accordingly, the angle Θ of the upper leg 11 relative to the horizontal is larger than the angle Θ in Figure 2 . Thus, the upper leg 11 leading to the weir crest 17 is steeper. Similarly, the second radius of curvature Rdn is also smaller than the second radius of curvature Rdn in Figure 2 , resulting in a steeper lower leg 13.

[0040] Figure 4 A rear view of the toilet is illustrated to show the various widths of the drain channel 30. The sump 23 can include a first width Wl, the upper leg 11 can include a second width W2, and the lower leg 13 can include a third width W3. Any of these widths can be adjusted. The width W2 of the upper leg 11 can have a particular impact on the water flow through the drain channel 30.

[0041] Table 1 summarizes the various specifications and dimensions of the drain channel 30 and sump 20. Exemplary high and low values are provided in Table 1. Through experimentation, the specifications and dimensions can be adjusted in various combinations to optimize particular parameters of the drain channel 30. Examples of parameters to optimize include flow rate, flow acceleration, time to peak flow, and duration of peak flow range. Other parameters are also possible.

[0042]

[0043]

[0044] Table 1

[0045] Figure 5 Illustrates the flow of water in the drain channel 30 in Figure 2 or Figure 3 . To optimize the flow of water through the drain channel 30, the drain channel 30 should be shaped to minimize the contact of the water with the walls of the drain channel 30. Any turbulence or eddies with the drain channel 30 would disrupt the efficient flow of water through the drain channel 30. In some examples, the water flow W flows through the weir crest 17 and only contacts a single point or region of points along the vertical portion 18 of the drain channel 30 before reaching the horizontal portion 15 of the drain channel 30.

[0046] For some dimensions of the blow-off channel 30, water can flow through the weir crest 17 with too much momentum, causing multiple collisions with the sides of the lower leg (e.g., the vertical portion 18). The resulting turbulence disrupts the efficient flow of water through the blow-off channel 30. To reduce this momentum and to smooth the flow of water through the blow-off channel 30, the dimensions of the upper leg 11 and the lower leg 13 can be selected to set the momentum of the water. That is, the radius of curvature extending upstream of the weir crest 17 can be selected to control the momentum of the flow of water through the weir crest 17 and / or the radius of curvature extending downstream of the weir crest 17 can be selected to control the momentum of the water through the weir crest 17.

[0047] Other dimensions of the physical properties of the blow-off channel 30 can be selected to control the momentum of the flow of water through the weir crest 17. Examples are described in Table 1, including the jet area (Ajet), the upper leg angle (Θ), the first radius of curvature (Rup), the second radius of curvature (Rdn), the third radius of curvature (Rak), the fourth radius of curvature (Rsp), the sump width (W1), the upper leg width (W2), and the lower leg width (W3).

[0048] Figure 6 An example controller 301 for operating the drive mechanism for the seat 50 and the lid 70 is illustrated. The controller 301 can include a processor 300, a memory 352, and a communication interface 353 for interacting with devices or the internet and / or other networks 346. In addition to the communication interface 353, sensor interfaces can be configured to receive data from sensors (e.g., proximity sensors for triggering seat 50 and / or lid 70 operation; position sensors for detecting the position of the seat 50 and / or lid).

[0049] The components of the control system can communicate using a bus 348. The control system can be connected to a workstation or other external device (e.g., a control panel) and / or a database for receiving user input, system characteristics, and any values described herein.

[0050] Optionally, the control system can include an input device 355 and / or a sensing circuit 356 in communication with any sensors. The sensing circuit receives sensor measurements from one or more sensors. The input device can include any user input, such as buttons, a touchscreen, a keyboard, a microphone for voice input, a camera for gesture input, and / or other mechanisms.

[0051] Optionally, the control system can include a drive unit 340 for receiving and reading a non-transitory computer medium 341 having instructions 342. Additional, different, or fewer components can be included. The processor 300 is configured to execute the instructions 342 stored in the memory 352 for performing the algorithms described herein. The display 350 can be an indicator or other screen output device. The display 350 can be combined with the user input device 355.

[0052] Figure 7 An example flowchart for selecting parameters for a drain channel is illustrated. Additional, different, or fewer actions can be included.

[0053] At action S101, a first set of dimensions for the drain channel 30 is selected. The first set of dimensions can include the value of each dimension in Table 1. The first set of dimensions can be selected by a user or automatically from a previous iteration.

[0054] At action S103, the flow rate and duration are measured using the first set of dimensions. An example flow rate can be the maximum flow rate. The duration can be the time to reach a minimum flow rate or a target flow rate. The duration can be the time above a minimum flow rate or a target flow rate. Another example of the duration can be a flush cycle. The flush cycle can be defined as the time from the trigger of the flush cycle to the time the contents of the bowl are emptied.

[0055] At action S105, a second set of dimensions is selected and applied to the drain channel 30. In most examples, a second drain channel 30 is constructed. At action S107, the flow rate and duration are measured using the second set of dimensions.

[0056] At action S109, the results from action S107 and action S103 are compared. The results can be compared to determine the shortest time to reach a minimum flow rate or a target flow rate or the longest duration above a minimum flow rate or a target flow rate. Thus, the first set of dimensions can be discarded when the second set of dimensions includes the shortest time to reach a minimum flow rate or a target flow rate or the longest duration above a minimum flow rate or a target flow rate.

[0057] At action S111, the selected set of dimensions is further incremented by adjusting one of the dimensions. Actions S101 through 109 are then repeated one or more times to optimize all of the dimensions of the drain channel 30.

[0058] The processor 300 can be a general purpose processor or a special purpose processor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), one or more programmable logic controllers (PLCs), one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), a set of processing components, or other suitable processing components. The processor 300 is configured to execute computer code or instructions stored in the memory 352 or received from other computer-readable media (e.g., embedded flash memory, local hard disk storage, local ROM, network storage, remote servers, etc.). The processor 300 can be a single device or a combination of devices, such as associated with a network, distributed processing, or cloud computing.

[0059] The memory 352 can include one or more devices (e.g., memory units, memory devices, storage devices, etc.) for storing data and / or computer code for completing and / or facilitating the various methods described herein. The memory 352 can include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), hard disk storage, temporary storage, non-volatile storage, flash memory, optical storage, or any other suitable type of memory for storing software objects and / or computer instructions. The memory 352 can include database components, object code components, script components, or any other types of information structures for supporting various activities and information structures described in the present disclosure. The memory 352 can be communicably connected to the processor 300 via the processing circuitry and can include computer code suitable for performing one or more methods described herein (e.g., by the processor 300). For example, the memory 298 can include graphics, webpages, HTML files, XML files, script code, spray configuration files, or other resources for generating a graphical user interface for display and / or for interpreting user interface input to produce command, control, or communication decisions.

[0060] In addition to including an ingress port and an egress port, the communication interface 353 can include any operable connection. An operable connection can be a connection by which signals, physical communications, and / or logical communications can be sent and / or received. An operable connection can include a physical interface, an electrical interface, and / or a data interface. The communication interface 353 can be connected to a network. The network can include a wired network (e.g., Ethernet), a wireless network, or a combination thereof. The wireless network can be a cellular telephone network, an 802.11, 802.16, 802.20, or WiMax network, a Bluetooth pairing of devices, or a Bluetooth mesh network. Further, the network can be a public network, such as the Internet, a private network, such as an intranet, or a combination thereof, and can utilize various network protocols now available or later developed including, but not limited to, TCP / IP based networking protocols.

[0061] Although the computer-readable medium (e.g., the memory 352) is shown as a single medium, the term "computer-readable medium" includes a single medium or multiple media, such as a centralized or distributed database, and / or associated caches and servers that store one or more sets of instructions. The term "computer-readable medium" shall also include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by a processor or that cause a computer system to perform any one or more of the methods or operations disclosed herein.

[0062] In particular non-limiting, exemplary embodiments, the computer-readable medium can include a solid-state memory like a memory card or other package that houses one or more non-volatile read-only memories. Further, the computer-readable medium can be a random access memory or other volatile re-writable memory. Additionally, the computer-readable medium can include a magneto-optical or optical medium, such as a disk or tapes or other storage device that captures carrier wave signals such as a signal communicated over an electrical, optical, and / or a physical interface. A digital file attachment to an e-mail or other self-contained information archive or set of archives is considered a distribution medium equivalent to a tangible storage medium. Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include a computer-readable medium or a distribution medium, as well as other equivalents and successor media, in which data or instructions can be stored.

[0063] In another embodiment, dedicated hardware implementations, such as application- specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays and other hardware devices, can be constructed to implement one or more of the methods described herein. Applications that can include the apparatus and systems of various embodiments can broadly include a variety of electronic and computer systems. One or more embodiments described herein can implement functions using two or more specific interconnected hardware modules or devices with related control and data signals that can be communicated between and through the modules, or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit. Accordingly, the present system encompasses software, firmware, and hardware implementations.

[0064] As used herein, the terms "about," "approximately," "substantially" and similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony with the common and accepted usage of such terms by intending that the terms "about," "approximately," "substantially" and similar terms be interpreted that an amount and / or number that are close to but not necessarily exactly a stated amount and / or number. It is understood by those within the art that the terms so used are intended to mean and encompass amounts that can not, in some

[0065] It should be noted that the term "exemplary" and variations thereof used herein are meant to refer to possible examples of the present embodiments, and are not meant to necessarily indicate that the present embodiments are necessarily extraordinary, unconventional or exceptional in any way.

[0066] The term "coupled" and variations thereof, as used herein, mean the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining can be stationary (e.g., permanent) or moveable (e.g., removable or releasable). Such joining can be achieved either with or without using a separate intermediate member and can be achieved using any additional interconnecting members. If "coupled" or variations thereof are modified with an extra term such as "directly", then the "coupling" is modified such that the joining is created without any intermediate member. This definition of "coupled" applies no matter the type of connection or how created. Such coupling can be mechanical, electrical, or fluidic.

[0067] The term "or," as used herein, is inclusive of both conjunctive and disjunctive meanings of "or," unless otherwise stated. For example, the phrase "A or B" means "A, B, or both A and B." The term "and," as used herein, is both conjunctive and disjunctive unless otherwise stated. For example, the phrase "A and B" means "A, B, or both A and B." The term "a" or "an" as used herein means "one or more" unless otherwise stated. The term "another" as used herein means "one or more" unless otherwise stated. The term "comprising" as used herein means "including, but not limited to" unless otherwise stated. The term "coupled" as used herein means the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining can be stationary (e.g., permanent) or moveable (e.g., removable or releasable). Such joining can be achieved either with or without using a separate intermediate member and can be achieved using any additional interconnecting members. If "coupled" or variations thereof are modified with an extra term such as "directly," then the "coupling" is modified such that the joining is created without any intermediate member. The term "about" as used herein means approximately or nearly, for example, the term "about X" means "approximately X." The term "substantially" as used herein means largely or for the most part, for example, the term "substantially filled" means largely filled.

[0068] References herein to the position of an element (e.g., "top," "bottom," "above," "below") are merely used to describe the orientation of various elements in the figures. It should be noted that the orientation of various elements can differ according to other example embodiments, and such variations are intended to be encompassed by the present disclosure.

[0069] Although the diagrams and descriptions can illustrate the specific order of method steps, unless otherwise specified, the order of such steps can differ from what is depicted and described. Also, two or more steps can be performed concurrently or with partial concurrence. Such variation can depend, for example, on the software and hardware systems chosen and on designer choice. All such variations are within the scope of the disclosure. Likewise, software implementations of the described methods could be accomplished with standard programming techniques with rule based logic and other logic to accomplish the various connection steps, processing steps, comparison steps, and decision steps.

[0070] It should be noted that the construction and arrangement of the system shown in the various example embodiments is illustrative only. Also, any elements disclosed in one embodiment can be used in combination with any other embodiment disclosed herein. While one example embodiment can largely be described herein as having a particular set of components, features, or steps, it should be understood that some of these components, features, or steps can be used, combined, or arranged in other embodiments as described herein.

[0071] When the components, elements, devices, or similar of the present disclosure are described as having a certain purpose or performing a certain operation, function, etc., that component, device, or element should be considered as "configured to" satisfy that purpose or perform that operation or function.

Claims

1. A drain channel for a toilet, the drain channel comprising: Yanfeng; The upper support leg includes a first radius of curvature that extends upstream of the weir peak; as well as The lower support leg includes a second radius of curvature that extends downstream of the weir peak.

2. The sewage discharge channel according to claim 1, further comprising: Ankle portion, the ankle portion including a third radius of curvature extending downstream of the lower leg.

3. The sewage discharge channel according to claim 2, further comprising: A spoon-shaped portion, which is connected to the outlet of the sewage channel.

4. The sewage discharge channel according to claim 3, further comprising: A horizontal conduit extending from the ankle to the spoon-shaped portion.

5. The sewage discharge channel according to claim 4, wherein the water flowing through the weir peak contacts the lower support leg in a region before reaching the horizontal pipe.

6. The sewage channel according to claim 5, wherein the spoon-shaped portion includes a fourth radius of curvature.

7. The sewage discharge channel according to claim 4, further comprising: Base basin; as well as A water collection pit is connected to the bottom basin, wherein the distance from the water collection pit to the spoon-shaped portion is less than the distance from the water collection pit to the weir peak.

8. The sewage channel according to claim 2, wherein the first radius of curvature optimizes the water flow from the weir peak to the ankle.

9. The sewage discharge channel according to claim 1, wherein the upper support leg extends at a predetermined angle relative to the horizontal line.

10. The sewage discharge channel according to claim 1, further comprising: A sump jetter, wherein the sump jetter has predetermined specifications.

11. The sewage discharge channel according to claim 1, wherein the first radius of curvature extending upstream of the weir peak is greater than the second radius of curvature extending downstream of the weir peak.

12. A toilet, comprising: Base basin; A water collection pit, which is connected to the bottom basin; Sewage discharge channel, the sewage discharge channel being connected to the sump, wherein the sewage discharge channel includes: Yanfeng; Upper support leg, the upper support leg including a first radius of curvature extending upstream of the weir peak; and The lower support leg includes a second radius of curvature that extends downstream of the weir peak.

13. The toilet according to claim 12, wherein the first radius of curvature extending upstream of the weir peak is greater than the second radius of curvature extending downstream of the weir peak.

14. The toilet according to claim 12, further comprising: Ankle portion, the ankle portion including a third radius of curvature extending downstream of the lower leg.

15. The toilet according to claim 14, further comprising: A spoon-shaped portion, which is connected to the outlet of the sewage channel.

16. The toilet according to claim 15, further comprising: A horizontal conduit extending from the ankle to the spoon-shaped portion.

17. The sewage discharge channel of claim 16, wherein the water flowing through the weir peak contacts the lower support leg in a region before reaching the horizontal pipe.

18. A method comprising: Choose the first size for the drain channel of the toilet; Flow rate is measured for the first dimension; Choose the second size for the toilet's drain channel; Flow rate is measured for the second dimension; and The flow rate of the first size is compared with the flow rate of the second size.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising: Measure the flushing duration for the first size; The rinsing duration was measured for the second dimension. as well as The flushing duration for the first size is compared with the flushing duration for the second size.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the first dimension is the radius of curvature of the upper support leg of the sewage channel or the radius of curvature of the lower support leg of the sewage channel.

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