Adaptable toilet systems and methods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial aircraft lavatories typically lack squat toilets, which many individuals prefer over standard sit toilets, and the limited space within these lavatories does not accommodate different types of toilets.
Innovation Solution
A system with a shroud and a moveable sit toilet that transitions between configurations, allowing it to be positioned over a basin for a standard toilet or moved away to expose the basin for a squat toilet or urinal, with optional actuation for automatic movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a standard sit toilet is installed in a commercial aircraft lavatory, then Western-style toilet usage is provided, but individuals preferring squat toilets cannot use their preferred toilet type
Solution Approach 1:
The sit toilet is made movable rather than fixed, allowing it to be repositioned between a first position (over the basin) and a second position (away from the basin). This dynamic configuration enables the same space to accommodate both sit toilet usage and squat toilet usage, resolving the contradiction between toilet type versatility and limited lavatory space.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the sit toilet is moved away from the shroud to expose the basin, then squat toilet or urinal functionality is provided, but the sit toilet functionality is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates an actuator that automatically moves the sit toilet between configurations based on detected user preference or timing, eliminating the need for manual intervention. This self-service mechanism resolves the contradiction by making the switching between toilet types automatic and convenient, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining adaptability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a movable coupling mechanism is implemented to allow sit toilet repositioning, then multiple toilet types can be accommodated, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism is segmented into discrete, modular components that can be independently manufactured and assembled. This segmentation reduces overall complexity by allowing each component to perform a specific function with simple design, while the combination of these simple components achieves the complex goal of accommodating multiple toilet types.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system and a method include a shroud including a basin, and a sit toilet moveably coupled to the shroud. The sit toilet is moveable between a first configuration in which the sit toilet is disposed over the basin, and a second configuration in which the sit toilet is moved away from the shroud to expose the basin. The basin provides one or both of a squat toilet or a urinal when the sit toilet is in the second configuration.