Backflow prevention device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing excretion disposal devices face challenges in effectively storing and disposing of dregs, particularly for the elderly or patients, due to physical or mental discomfort, leading to stress and inconvenience for both users and caregivers, and psychological burdens from the proximity of disposal spaces.
Innovation Solution
A backflow prevention device with a reservoir, inflow unit, discharge unit, and barrier unit that changes the flow direction of dregs and air to prevent backflow, allowing for safe storage and easy disposal of dregs, featuring a cover unit with a handle member to block spaces between barriers and a filter member in the discharge unit to manage odors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a simple storage container is used for dregs, then the device complexity is low, but the dregs may flow back into the discharge path causing contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The reservoir is divided into multiple compartments by barrier parts (first barrier part, second barrier part, third barrier part) that segment the flow path. This segmentation prevents dregs from reaching the discharge unit while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure. Each barrier part acts as an independent checkpoint in the flow path.
Solution Approach 2:
Barrier parts are introduced as intermediary elements between the inflow unit and discharge unit. These barriers serve as mediators that intercept and redirect dreg flow without requiring complex mechanical systems or active control mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If the disposal space is located adjacent to the user, then the device structure is simple, but it causes psychological burden and inconvenience
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge unit is extracted and positioned separately from the user area, connected through a discharge path that routes away from the user. This separates the unpleasant disposal function from the user space, reducing psychological burden while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The discharge path is routed through three-dimensional space rather than directly adjacent to the user. By utilizing vertical and lateral dimensions, the system displaces the disposal function to a different spatial dimension, reducing its impact on user comfort.
3Reliability
If barrier parts are added to prevent backflow, then dreg containment is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reservoir is divided into multiple compartments by barrier parts (first barrier part, second barrier part, third barrier part) that segment the flow path. This segmentation prevents dregs from reaching the discharge unit while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure. Each barrier part acts as an independent checkpoint in the flow path.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using complex mechanical valves or active control systems to prevent backflow, the invention uses passive barrier parts that work in reverse to the flow direction. The barriers are positioned to intercept dregs flowing toward the discharge unit, using the flow's own momentum against it.
4Ease of operation
If the inflow unit allows free flow of dregs, then the ease of operation is high, but dregs may escape into the discharge unit
Solution Approach 1:
The reservoir is divided into multiple compartments by barrier parts (first barrier part, second barrier part, third barrier part) that segment the flow path. This segmentation prevents dregs from reaching the discharge unit while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure. Each barrier part acts as an independent checkpoint in the flow path.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3(a)~3(b)
AI summary
Provided is backflow prevention device. The device includes a reservoir defining a space to store dregs therein, an inflow unit having an inlet hole formed therein and defining a path to allow the dregs to move through the inlet hole into the reservoir, a discharge unit having an outlet hole formed therein and defining a path to allow air in the reservoir to be discharged through the outlet hole, and a barrier unit provided in the reservoir to change a flow direction of at least either of the dregs and the air at least once and thereby prevent the dregs from flowing into the discharge unit.