Cistern Odor Extractor with Separated Air Duct
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cisterns for odor extraction in toilets often require complex designs and large construction volumes, with the fan and filter systems being difficult to replace and maintain, and they do not effectively separate the air extraction process from the water area, leading to inefficiencies and maintenance challenges.
Innovation Solution
The cistern design separates the exhaust air duct from the water area, allowing for simpler maintenance by locating the fan housing and filter in accessible positions, with a closed air line connecting the fan's pressure side to an external outlet and an air line running outside the cistern, enabling efficient air extraction and easy replacement of components through a pivoting actuating plate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the exhaust fan is located in the air space of the cistern, then odor extraction is enabled, but splash protection is required and maintenance becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The cistern is divided into separate functional zones: a water area and an air space. The exhaust fan is specifically positioned in the air space portion, physically separated from the water area. This segmentation allows the fan to perform odor extraction effectively while being protected from water splash, and enables maintenance access through inspection openings without requiring complex splash protection mechanisms.
2Volume of moving object
If the air line runs inside the cistern, then space is utilized, but the construction volume increases and accessibility for maintenance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The air line is routed to exit the cistern through the vertical dimension via the inspection opening. Instead of running the air line entirely inside the cistern or requiring lateral access, the system utilizes the vertical inspection opening pathway. This allows the air extraction function to operate within the cistern volume while providing external accessibility for filter and fan housing replacement through the inspection opening.
3Volume of stationary object
If the filter and fan housing are integrated in the water area, then space is optimized, but replacement requires draining water and becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The filter and fan housing are extracted from the water area and positioned in the air space portion of the cistern. This extraction allows these components to be accessed and replaced through the inspection opening without requiring water drainage or complex disassembly procedures. The components maintain their functional integration while gaining independent accessibility for maintenance.
4Reliability
If splash protection is added to the exhaust fan, then water damage is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air space acts as an intermediary zone between the water area and the exhaust fan. By positioning the fan in the air space rather than directly in the water area, the system creates a natural protective barrier against water splash without requiring additional splash guard components. This spatial arrangement provides fan protection while maintaining system simplicity.
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 design enhances odor extraction efficiency, simplifies maintenance by eliminating the need for splash protection and allows for easy replacement of filters and fan housings, while automatically controlling the exhaust fan and providing visual indicators for filter replacement, resulting in a more reliable and efficient odor extraction system.
Implementation Method 1
air is extracted from a toilet bowl and conveyed back into the outside air through a filter with the extraction fan
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The cistern (1) has a suction ventilator arranged in an air chamber of a container (4) and flow-conductively connected with a filter at a pressure side, where a suction side of the ventilator is flow-conductively connected with a flushing pipe (6) over a closed air pipeline (7). The air pipeline is guided away from the flushing pipe at an end and guided into an upper area of the cistern at another end. The ventilator is supported in an air housing that is detachably connected with an attachment part (10).