Bathroom Fixture Venting System Using Atmospheric Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bathroom fixtures lack an effective and resource-efficient method to eliminate noxious gases and airborne bacteria, relying on either electricity-consuming exhaust fans or costly antibacterial fragrance sprays.
Innovation Solution
A venting system utilizing atmospheric pressure differentials and mechanical components, including an actuation rod, lifting rod, plunger, and spring, to vent gases into the internal plumbing of the bathroom fixture without electrical power or chemical sprays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If an electric exhaust fan is used to vent gases, then venting power is improved, but energy consumption and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the bathroom fixture's existing flush mechanism to automatically activate the venting plunger, eliminating the need for external power sources. The flush action itself serves双重 purposes: waste removal and gas venting activation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes water pressure from the flush system to mechanically drive the venting plunger, converting hydraulic energy into mechanical motion for opening the vent valve without requiring electrical motors
2Object-affected harmful factors
If antibacterial fragrance sprays are used to reduce odor, then bacterial destruction is improved, but operational costs and environmental impact increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts the potentially harmful trapped gases and bacteria into beneficial airflow by using the flush-induced pressure differential to drive gas evacuation through the venting system, transforming a waste removal problem into a useful ventilation mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces chemical antibacterial sprays with a mechanical ventilation system that physically removes gases and bacteria through pressure-driven airflow, eliminating the need for continuous chemical applications
3Object-generated harmful factors
If traditional venting methods are used, then gas removal is improved, but device complexity and resource requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The venting system is integrated with the existing bathroom fixture flush mechanism, allowing the same water flow to perform both waste evacuation and venting activation functions, reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The plunger mechanism serves as an intermediary component that translates the flush water pressure into mechanical motion for opening the vent valve, simplifying the connection between the flush system and venting function
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 system effectively vents noxious gases and airborne bacteria into the plumbing, eliminating the need for electrical exhaust fans and antibacterial sprays, thereby reducing resource usage and operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
The spring can be configured to return the plunger to a closed configuration
Implementation Method 2
Both embodiments, the mechanical aspects of the present invention can utilize atmospheric pressure differentials to vent gases into the internal plumbing of the bathroom fixture
Data Source
AI summary
A venting system for a bathroom fixture can include an actuation rod, a lifting rod, a plunger, and a spring. The actuation rod can have a handle installed on a first end configured to limit movement of the actuation rod. Opposite ends of the lifting rod can be coupled to the actuation rod and to the plunger. The plunger can be installed within the spring. Actuating the actuation rod can cause the plunger to become unseated, allowing airflow from a bowl to a wastewater outlet of the bathroom fixture. The venting system uses atmospheric pressure differentials to vent gases through the internal plumbing of the fixture.