Height-Adjustable Urinal Siphon for Variable Wall Connections

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing urinal installations face challenges with precise alignment of inlet and outlet openings, requiring careful measurement and potential rework during installation and replacement, especially in environments with limited space and design constraints.

Innovation Solution

A height-adjustable urinal siphon mechanism with plug-in tube sections and a circumferential sealing ring allows for variable distance adjustment between the inlet and outlet openings, enabling flexible installation and maintenance without compromising the odor trap function or aesthetic design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the distance between inlet and outlet openings is fixed, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the adaptability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistance between inlet and outlet openingsVSAvoidadaptability to different wall connection heights
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The siphon incorporates an adjustable height mechanism that allows the distance between the inlet opening and outlet opening to be dynamically changed. This enables the urinal to adapt to different wall connection heights while maintaining proper installation, resolving the contradiction between fixed manufacturing precision and needed adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the parameter of the siphon's height dimension, allowing adjustment of the distance between inlet and outlet openings. This parameter change enables adaptation to various installation scenarios without requiring precise pre-determination of wall connection heights.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the wall connections are made with high precision, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of installationVSAvoidcomplexity of height adjustment mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The siphon is divided into multiple segments or components that can be adjusted independently. This segmentation allows for simple height adjustment mechanisms that do not significantly increase overall device complexity while improving ease of installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The height adjustment mechanism is designed to be self-contained within the siphon structure, allowing installers to make adjustments without requiring specialized tools or complex procedures. The mechanism serves itself by incorporating the adjustment capability directly into the siphon body.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If the odor trap is positioned deep below the pool, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveodor trap functionalityVSAvoidease of installation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The odor trap's position is made dynamically adjustable through the height-adjustable siphon mechanism. This allows the odor trap to be positioned at the optimal depth for reliable functionality while accommodating variations in pool depth and wall connection heights, improving both reliability and ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

This solution significantly reduces installation complexity, allows for accurate alignment with minimal skill, and facilitates easy replacement or retrofitting of urinals, maintaining the odor trap's functionality across various height settings.

Implementation Method 1

an odor trap automatically formed in an overbend (17) in that dirty water (14) with an upper dirty water level (15) and a dirty water level below (16) remains there and cannot soak over the overbend (17)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSyphon: Syphon

Data Source

PatentEP2412879B1Urinal and urinal siphon
Publication Date: 2018.02.14 BOCK ANDREAS
  • EP2412879B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2412879B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2412879B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The urinal (1) is provided with an inlet opening (6) and a drain port (7), where the distance (h1) between the inlet opening and the drain port is variable. A variable distance setting device is located within the outer contour of the urinal. The variable distance setting device is formed with an odor seal (13). An independent claim is also included for an adjustable urinal siphon.