Antiviral commode
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing waste collection systems, such as flush toilets, release airborne pathogens and contaminants into the environment during flushing, which can spread disease and contaminate surrounding surfaces, as they are not effective in containing aerosolized particles and pathogens.
Innovation Solution
A modular antiviral air filter assembly is integrated into the toilet system, featuring a ventilated filter housing with antiviral filters, a gasket for sealing against the toilet bowl, and a wireless electronic control module to ensure the filter is closed during flushing, filtering displaced air and preventing pathogens from entering the atmosphere.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a toilet lid is closed before flushing, then the spread of airborne pathogens is reduced, but aerosol droplets can still escape through the gap between the lid and toilet bowl rim
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful aerosol droplets and pathogens from the flushing environment by introducing a filtration system. The filter assembly removes airborne contaminants from the air space between the lid and bowl, preventing their escape through the gap, thus maintaining containment effectiveness while keeping the lid closed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary filtration system between the密闭 space (lid-bowl assembly) and the external environment. This intermediary filter captures and removes pathogens and aerosols that would otherwise escape through the gap, resolving the contradiction by providing an intermediate barrier.
2Ease of manufacture
If multiple flushing operations are performed, then the toilet bowl is thoroughly cleaned, but pathogens remain on the surface and continue to be transmitted through aerosol droplets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous air filtration during the flushing process. The filter assembly operates throughout the flushing duration, continuously removing pathogens and aerosols from the air space, ensuring that even during repeated flushing operations, pathogen transmission is prevented.
Solution Approach 2:
The filtration system serves as a continuous intermediary barrier during multiple flushing operations, intercepting and removing pathogens before they can be transmitted through aerosol droplets, thus resolving the contradiction between cleaning thoroughness and pathogen transmission prevention.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a filter assembly is added to the toilet system, then airborne pathogens are filtered out, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filter assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: filtering airborne pathogens, maintaining negative pressure in the toilet bowl, and preventing aerosol escape. By consolidating these functions into a single integrated component, the patent reduces overall system complexity while achieving effective pathogen removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a gasket seal that creates a flexible, conforming barrier between the lid and bowl assembly. This flexible sealing mechanism simplifies the overall structure by eliminating rigid sealing components while maintaining effective containment, thus reducing device complexity.
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
The solution significantly reduces the spread of airborne pathogens and contaminants by effectively filtering out viral and bacterial aerosols during the flushing process, enhancing hygiene and safety in waste collection facilities.
Implementation Method 1
the displaced air from water filling the collection bowl is filtered through the one or more antiviral filters before egress out of the ventilated portion or portions of the filter housing
Implementation Method 2
a gasket attached to or otherwise formed on the underside of a donut rim seat of the toilet, the gasket contacting the rim surface of the collection bowl or basin of the toilet
Data Source
AI summary
A modular antiviral air filter assembly for filtering displaced air in a toilet has a ventilated filter housing having a bottom sealing surface, a peripheral side wall, and a top lid, the filter housing fixed to or formed contiguously to the underside of the top lid of the toilet, at least one antiviral filter disposed within the filter housing having contact with the displaced air from the bowl of the waste collection utility. The antiviral filter assembly closes and seals against the donut rim seat after use and remains sealed during flush operation of the waste collection utility wherein the displaced air from water filling the collection bowl is filtered through the one or more antiviral filters before egress out of the ventilated portion or portions of the filter housing.