Separate toilet, separate toilet system and uses

Abstract

A separation toilet (12) with a urine collection bowl (24) and a feces collection bowl (26), wherein the urine collection bowl (24) is associated with a urine collection container (28) and the feces collection bowl (26) with a feces collection container (30), wherein the feces collection container (30) is arranged below the feces collection bowl (26), characterized in that an odor trap is arranged between the urine collection bowl (24) and the urine collection container (28) to prevent the transfer of odor-forming gases from the urine collection container (28) to the urine collection bowl (24), wherein the odor trap is designed to open automatically from a minimum amount of urine (50) to be introduced into the urine collection container (28) and to close automatically otherwise, and the separation toilet (12) has an agitator (36) for circulating the contents of the faeces collection container (30).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a composting toilet according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Such a separation toilet is known from CH 147 106 A.

[0003] A composting toilet with a urine and a feces collection bowl is known, for example, from EP 0 584 132 B1. In this known composting toilet, urine and feces are collected separately. In particular, urine and urine mixed with flush water can be disposed of via different drainage routes. A siphon with a blocking liquid acts as an odor trap along the drainage route intended for the disposal of the urine mixed with flush water. Selection between the two drainage routes can be made using an electrically operated flap. To control the flap, the known composting toilet has microswitches in a floor area in front of the composting toilet and in the area of ​​a seat of the composting toilet, with which the position of a toilet user or the current type of use of the composting toilet can be determined.In particular, it is intended that in an inactive state the flap covers and thus closes the second drainage section which is not sealed against odours by the siphon.

[0004] However, due to the siphon's sealing fluid, the familiar composting toilet is only suitable for mobile applications to a limited extent. The siphon's functionality is also limited if the sealing fluid level is too low, especially if it dries out, freezes, or in other similar situations.

[0005] If the urine collected in a urine collection container is to be disposed of, the urine collection container must also be manually closed for transport to the disposal site.

[0006] A fluid control valve and a urinal with such a fluid control valve are known from EP 1 579 133 B1. To ensure the functionality of the fluid control valve, it must be installed in a vertical position.

[0007] DE 698 35 683 T2 discloses a wastewater outlet device with a one-way valve element. Furthermore, DE 10 2006 006 226 B4, CN 1 08 678 109 A, and AT 513 197 B1 disclose separation toilets with a urine collection tray and associated feces collection tray.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to offer a composting toilet that is particularly suitable for mobile applications.

[0009] The problem is solved by a separation toilet with the features of claim 1.

[0010] The invention is based on the idea of ​​making it possible for the urine to be collected to flow automatically from the urine collection bowl into the urine collection container by means of a mechanical check valve, in which the check valve opens automatically and then closes again.

[0011] Since the check valve can be closed as long as there is no urine or at least not enough urine to open the check valve, odors cannot escape from the urine collection container to the urine collection bowl.

[0012] The minimum flow rate may be technically determined by the type of check valve used to ensure safe opening. Therefore, a check valve with the lowest possible minimum flow rate is preferred.

[0013] Since no sealing fluid or similar is required to seal the odor, the composting toilet is particularly suitable for mobile applications.

[0014] Neither electrical power nor control electronics are required to control the check valve, so the composting toilet can be used anywhere.

[0015] Due to the separate collection of urine and feces, separate emptying of the respective collection containers is also possible.

[0016] This results in long emptying cycles, especially for the feces collection container. If only urine is stored, continuous ventilation is not necessary.

[0017] It has also been shown that the inventive composting toilet and / or its surroundings generally only develop a low level of humidity. Therefore, air exchanges are required to a much lesser extent than usual, which is why the composting toilet according to the invention can be constructed particularly compactly.

[0018] Another advantage is that when the composting toilet is not in use, the urine collection container can be permanently sealed gas-tight, at least towards the urine collection bowl. It is particularly advantageous that the urine collection container can be designed to automatically seal at least towards the urine collection bowl. This significantly reduces or even eliminates unpleasant odors caused by an accidentally left open urine collection container that can be manually sealed towards the urine collection bowl.

[0019] In particular for mobile applications of the separation toilet according to the invention, for example in land, air and / or water vehicles and / or in accommodation designed for temporary installation and / or mobile accommodation, it is particularly advantageous if the urine and / or faeces collection container is arranged removably on and / or in the separation toilet.

[0020] According to the invention, the feces collection container has a closure, in particular an odor trap. The closure of the feces collection container is designed to operate automatically. It can also have a folding mechanism.

[0021] The check valve can be opened with only minimal pressure and / or force. Thus, even a small amount of urine may be sufficient to generate the pressure required to open the check valve.

[0022] For this purpose, it is particularly conceivable for the check valve to be designed and / or arranged to be actuated by the gravity of the urine present. This eliminates the need for additional sensors or the like to determine whether and / or how much urine is present. At the same time, it can be ensured that the urine collection bowl is emptied safely and, in particular, that no urine, or at least essentially no urine, remains in the urine collection bowl.

[0023] The check valve can have an elastic line section. The elastic line section can be made of silicone, latex and / or another rubber-elastic material and / or comprise such a material. The elastic line section can be tubular, at least in sections. Preferably, the elastic line section can be closed in the unloaded state, i.e., when no urine is present at the check valve, by elastically constricting its wall. As soon as a sufficient amount of urine is present at the check valve, the wall can be expanded by gravity - with a suitable design of the elastic line section - so that the urine can flow through the line section and into the urine collection container, which can be located, for example, beneath the elastic line section.

[0024] Thus, the elastic line section can form a check valve that can be activated by the gravity of the urine. For this purpose, the elastic line section can preferably be installed in a vertical position.

[0025] The passage of urine through the check valve can be improved if the urine collection container has a ventilation opening. This ventilation opening can be designed as a hole or have a hole. Experience has shown that a diameter of less than 5 mm is sufficient, in particular a diameter between 0.5 mm and 1 mm, especially a diameter of 0.7 mm. Such a narrow diameter can significantly limit the unintentional outflow of urine, for example, if the urine collection container tips over during transport.

[0026] The urine collection container can have a closure lid. The ventilation opening can preferably be formed on the closure lid and / or on and / or in the odor trap, so that a commercially available container can be used as the urine collection container. Furthermore, the closure lid can be detachably arranged on the urine collection container. For example, the closure lid can be screwed and / or plugged onto the urine collection container. Then, for example, for interim storage, the urine collection container can be sealed gas-tight by replacing the closure lid with a gas-tight closure lid, in particular one without a check valve and without a ventilation opening.

[0027] Complete or at least almost complete emptying of the urine collection bowl can be achieved if the urine collection bowl opens into the check valve or into a supply line leading to the check valve at its lowest point when installed.

[0028] According to the invention, the separation toilet has an agitator for circulating the contents of the faeces collection container so that drying and / or composting of the faeces can be facilitated, in particular accelerated.

[0029] For this purpose, the agitator can be mounted exclusively on the feces collection container. Alternatively or additionally, the agitator can be removed from the composting toilet together with the feces collection container. To remove the feces collection container, any contaminated parts, such as one of the collection bowls, a toilet lid, a toilet body, or the like, do not need to be disassembled and / or placed outside the composting toilet. This avoids hygiene and / or cleanliness problems that otherwise frequently occur when emptying the feces collection container.

[0030] To improve the drying of the feces, a drying material can be placed in the feces collection container. The drying material can comprise coconut fibers. In particular, the drying material can be designed to promote drying and / or composting and / or inhibit odor formation. For this purpose, the drying material can be granular in particular.

[0031] In order to empty the collection containers and to store the composting toilet in a storage space or to remove the composting toilet from the storage space, it is advantageous if the composting toilet has a mobile toilet housing. For this purpose, the toilet housing can have wheels, rollers and / or balls on its underside for moving the composting toilet. The toilet housing can also have a holding option, for example a handle. In general, the composting toilet can have a maneuvering aid. The maneuvering aid can be formed on the toilet housing. This means that the composting toilet can be maneuvered with little effort, even when it is heavy, for example when the collection containers are almost full. The composting toilet can therefore be removed from the storage space or returned to it with little effort. The composting toilet can therefore also be moved by children and young people or weakened people.

[0032] The urine collection tray and / or the faeces collection tray can be mounted tiltably and / or pivotably on the rest of the separation toilet, in particular on the toilet housing, so that the urine and / or faeces collection container of the separation toilet, in particular the toilet housing, can be easily removed.

[0033] The invention also encompasses a composting toilet system, comprising a composting toilet according to the invention and a receiving space for accommodating the composting toilet. The receiving space can, for example, be a toilet room and / or a storage space for storing the composting toilet.

[0034] The composting toilet system, in particular the accommodation space, can have a fan, preferably an electric one. The fan can be and / or have an exhaust air fan. The fan can be and / or can be connected to the accommodation space and / or to the composting toilet with a preferably elastic sleeve. The sleeve can be made of and / or have an elastically deformable material. It can be designed to form an airtight seal towards an outer side of the sleeve. It can have a seal on one or both end faces. The sleeve can be designed to form an airtight seal towards the composting toilet, in particular automatically.

[0035] Preferably, the composting toilet itself can be designed without a fan. The composting toilet can thus be designed without cables and / or without any external exhaust ducts or the like. The composting toilet can thus be relocated particularly easily, especially without having to consider any ducts or the like.

[0036] The fan of the composting toilet system, which is designed specifically to ventilate the feces collection container, can include a sensor, particularly a humidity sensor. This enables automatic operation of the fan(s). This can save energy and / or reduce noise.

[0037] The composting toilet system and / or composting toilet can be ventilated alternatively or additionally via one or more ventilation openings. They can also be ventilated alternatively and / or additionally via gaps, for example, due to manufacturing tolerances in moving parts of the composting toilet system and / or composting toilet.

[0038] The fan can be connected to the receiving space and / or the composting toilet via at least one of the ventilation openings. The connection can be made using the cuff.

[0039] Furthermore, the scope of the invention includes the use of the separation toilet according to the invention and / or the separation toilet system according to the invention in a land, air and / or water vehicle and / or in a temporary and / or mobile accommodation.

[0040] For such mobile use, it is particularly advantageous that the composting toilet has a mechanical check valve as an odor trap and can therefore be transported without any problems.

[0041] Furthermore, it doesn't require a permanent connection to an existing municipal sewage system or similar, so the composting toilet can be used on the go. By avoiding unpleasant odors, the composting toilet or composting toilet system can be used comfortably even during long periods of inactivity. Another advantage of such mobile use is that the collection containers need to be emptied comparatively rarely due to the separate collection of urine and feces.

[0042] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments of the invention, with reference to the figures of the drawing, which show details essential to the invention, and from the claims.

[0043] The features illustrated in the drawings are presented in such a way that the special features of the invention can be clearly seen. The various features can be implemented individually or in combinations in variants of the invention.

[0044] They show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a separation toilet system and Fig. 2 a schematic cross-sectional view of a check valve.

[0045] Fig. 1 shows a separation toilet system 10 with a separation toilet 12, which is in Fig. 1, is accommodated in a receiving space 14 of the separation toilet system 10. The receiving space 14 functions as a storage space. The receiving space 14 can be opened or closed, so that the separation toilet 12 can be removed from the receiving space 14 for use and / or emptying and then stowed back in the receiving space 14.

[0046] To facilitate the removal of the separation toilet 12 from the receiving space 14, the separation toilet 12 has a toilet housing 16 with a handle 18 and with several wheels, of which Fig. 1, a wheel 20 is shown. The toilet housing 16 is thus mobile.

[0047] Below a toilet lid 22, which can be pivotably mounted on the toilet body 16, the separation toilet 12 has a urine collection tray 24 and a feces collection tray 26. The two collection trays 24, 26 each serve to separately collect the urine and feces of a user of the separation toilet 12. The urine and feces collection trays 24, 26 each open into collection containers, in particular a urine collection container 28 and a feces collection container 30.

[0048] Located in the area of ​​a closure lid 31 is a check valve 32 that unidirectionally connects the urine collection bowl 24 to the urine collection container 28. In particular, urine can flow from the urine collection bowl 24 into the urine collection container 28, but not vice versa.

[0049] In particular, the urine collection bowl 24 opens into the check valve 32 at its lowest point in the installed state.

[0050] As mentioned in relation to Fig. 2, the check valve 32 serves as an odor trap. It is designed to open and close depending on the amount of urine to be discharged into the urine collection container 28 (in Fig. 1 not shown) to open or close automatically. In particular, it is designed to open automatically when a minimum amount of urine 50 is present for introduction into the urine collection container 28 and to close automatically otherwise.

[0051] The check valve 32 is arranged in a vertical position between the urine collection bowl 24 and the urine collection container 28. Thus, urine to be collected can flow into the check valve 32 from above and flow downward through the check valve 32.

[0052] The urine present at the check valve 32 can thus pass from the urine collection bowl 24 into the urine collection container 28, whereas a backflow of odors, outgassing or the like from the urine collection container 28 into the urine collection bowl 24 or beyond the urine collection bowl 24 is prevented by the check valve 32.

[0053] The urine collection container 28 has a ventilation opening 34. The ventilation opening 34 is formed on the closure lid 31. The ventilation opening 34 is designed as a bore, which can, in particular, lead through and / or past the check valve 32 to reach the interior of the urine collection container 28. It has a diameter of 0.7 mm.

[0054] The feces collection container 30 is equipped with an agitator 36. The agitator 36 is arranged exclusively on the feces collection container 30 and not on the toilet housing 16.

[0055] The feces collection container 30 is partially filled with a drying material 38. The drying material 38 is in granular form. The drying material 38 is designed to dry stored feces. It is also conceivable that the drying material 38 is designed to promote the composting of feces. For this purpose, it can contain at least one composting accelerator.

[0056] The agitator 36 is configured to mix the feces entering the feces collection container 30 with the drying material 38. This allows the feces to dry more quickly and prevents unwanted evaporation.

[0057] The agitator 36 can be operated manually. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the agitator 36 can be operated by a Fig. 1, is operable in a time-controlled and / or sensor-controlled manner. It is particularly conceivable that a feces sensor is arranged in and / or on the feces collection container 30, which detects the entry of feces into the feces collection container 30. Thus, in this alternative, the agitator 36 can be activated after each entry of feces into the feces collection container

[0058] 30 be operated for a predefined period of time and / or over a predefined number of revolutions, in particular automatically.

[0059] In order to facilitate the removal of the urine collection container 28 and the feces collection container 30, the respective collection bowls 24, 26 are arranged rotatably and / or pivotably on the toilet housing 16, in particular are hinged.

[0060] Furthermore, the agitator 36 is arranged exclusively on the feces collection container 30. The feces collection container 30 can be removed from the toilet housing 16 together with the agitator 36.

[0061] The composting toilet 12 is ventilated via two ventilation openings 40 in its toilet housing 16. Furthermore, the receiving space 14 has at least one ventilation opening 40.

[0062] The receiving space 14 can be ventilated by means of a fan 42 which is connected to the receiving space 14 via a sleeve 44.

[0063] It is particularly conceivable that the fan 42 is connected with the sleeve 44 to one of the ventilation openings 40, in particular of the receiving space 14.

[0064] The fan 42 and the sleeve 44 are connected to an outer side of the receiving space 14. For this purpose, they are located outside the receiving space 14. It is also conceivable that the fan 42 and / or the sleeve 44 are connected to an inner side of the receiving space 14. For this purpose, the fan 42 and / or the sleeve 44 can be arranged in the receiving space 14.

[0065] The fan 42 can be designed to be controllable by means of a humidity sensor (not shown) depending on the air humidity and / or by means of a suitable other sensor based on another air parameter such as the temperature and / or a content of a certain gas.

[0066] Fig. Figure 2 shows an example of a check valve 32 for a urine-diverting toilet. The check valve 32 operates purely mechanically. It has an upper pipe section, corresponding to its vertical installation position, which is designed as an inlet area 46 for receiving urine 50. An elastic pipe section 48 adjoins the inlet area 46 on the underside.

[0067] The check valve 32 has an overall funnel-shaped configuration with its inlet area 46 and its elastic line section 48.

[0068] The elastic conduit section 48 is made of an elastically deformable material, for example, latex and / or silicone. In an unloaded state—without urine 50 present—the wall of the elastic conduit section 48 is contracted to such an extent that the elastic conduit section 48 is fluid-tight.

[0069] Thus, no fluid, in particular no gas, can flow from below through the elastic line section 48 upwards and thus through the check valve 32.

[0070] Now flows - as in Fig. 2 - urine 50 into the inlet area 46 of the check valve 32, the urine 50 collects in a bottom area of ​​the inlet area 46 and thus rests against the elastic line section 48. Due to the gravity of the urine 50, the wall of the elastic line section 48 is expanded. This is shown in Fig. 2 by arrows pointing away from each other. Due to the expansion of the elastic line section 48, the check valve 32 opens automatically as soon as a minimum amount of urine 50 is present—depending in particular on the elasticity of the elastic line section 48.

[0071] Urine 50 then flows through the elastic line section 48 and can thereby flow into the urine collection container 28 ( Fig. 1).

[0072] Below this minimum quantity, however, the check valve 32 closes automatically. List of reference symbols 10 Diverting toilet system 12 composting toilet 14 Recording room 16 toilet enclosures 18 handle 20 wheels 22 toilet lids 24 urine collection tray 26 Feces collection tray 28 urine collection containers 30 feces collection containers 31 Cover 32 Check valve 34 Ventilation opening 36 agitator 38 drying material 40 Ventilation opening 42 fans 44 cuff 46 Entrance area 48 elastic line section 50 Urine

Claims

[1] A separation toilet (12) comprising a urine collection tray (24) and a faeces collection tray (26), wherein the urine collection tray (24) is associated with a urine collection container (28) and the faeces collection tray (26) is associated with a faeces collection container (30), wherein the faeces collection container (30) is arranged below the faeces collection tray (26), characterized by that an odor trap is arranged between the urine collection bowl (24) and the urine collection container (28) to prevent the transfer of odor-forming gases from the urine collection container (28) to the urine collection bowl (24), wherein the odor trap is designed to open automatically from a minimum quantity of urine (50) ready to be introduced into the urine collection container (28) and to close automatically otherwise, and the separation toilet (12) has an agitator (36) for circulating the contents of the faeces collection container (30). [2] A separation toilet according to claim 1, characterized bythat the odor trap is designed as a mechanical check valve (32) and / or has such a valve. [3] A separation toilet according to claim 2, characterized by that the check valve (32) is designed and / or arranged to be actuated by the gravity of the urine (50). [4] A separation toilet according to one of the preceding claims 2 or 3, characterized by that the check valve (32) has an elastic line section (48). [5] A separation toilet according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the urine collection container (28) has a ventilation opening (34). [6] Separate toilet according to one of the preceding claims 2 to 5, characterized by that the urine collection bowl (24) opens into the check valve (32) or into a supply line leading to the check valve (32) at its lowest point when installed. [7] A separation toilet according to the preceding claim, characterized bythat the agitator (36) is arranged exclusively on the faeces collection container (30) and / or that the agitator (36) can be removed from the separation toilet (12) together with the faeces collection container (30). [8] A separation toilet according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a drying material (38) is filled into the faeces collection container (30). [9] A separation toilet according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the separation toilet (12) has a mobile toilet housing (16). [10] Separate toilet according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the urine collection tray (24) and / or the faeces collection tray (26) are tiltably and / or pivotably mounted on the rest of the separation toilet (12), in particular on the toilet housing (16). [11] Separate toilet system (10), comprising a separate toilet (12) according to one of the preceding claims and a receiving space (14) for receiving the separate toilet (12). [12] Separate toilet system according to the preceding claim, characterized by that the receiving space (14) has a, preferably electric, fan (42). [13] Use of a separation toilet (12) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 10 and / or a separation toilet system (10) according to one of claims 11 or 12 in a land, air and / or water vehicle and / or in a temporary and / or mobile accommodation.

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