Concealed Cistern Pipe Venting for Space-Saving Maintenance Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe aerators for wastewater line ventilation require additional space and complex structural measures for maintenance and air supply, which complicates their installation and maintenance, especially in pre-wall installations.
Innovation Solution
A pipe aerator system integrated into a flush mounting box with a horizontal arrangement, featuring an air inlet that prevents air suction from the box, allowing for easy access and maintenance without additional space, using a gravity-actuated check valve and compact design with an air guide channel for efficient air exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pipe aerators are installed in pre-wall installations with roof-mounted ventilation ducts, then ventilation function is achieved, but additional installation space and structural modifications are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the pipe aerator with the concealed cistern by integrating the aerator housing into the cistern structure. The aerator is positioned within the cistern's pre-wall installation space, merging two functions (ventilation and water storage) into a single integrated unit, thereby eliminating the need for separate ventilation ducts and reducing overall installation space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The concealed cistern serves dual purposes: it stores flushing water and houses the pipe aerator for ventilation. This multi-functional design allows the same structural space to fulfill multiple functions, eliminating the need for additional dedicated ventilation infrastructure and reducing the overall footprint of the sanitary installation.
2Reliability
If pipe aerators are installed in pre-wall installations, then ventilation is provided, but maintenance and replacement require structural modifications
Solution Approach 1:
The aerator is designed with a removable cover plate that provides preliminary access to the aerator components. This preliminary access feature is built into the design, allowing maintenance personnel to reach and service the aerator through the cistern's existing access points without requiring structural modifications to the pre-wall installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cistern's access panel serves as an intermediary that provides access to the aerator. Instead of requiring direct access to the aerator through structural modifications, the access panel acts as a mediator that allows maintenance personnel to reach the aerator components through the existing service opening of the concealed cistern.
3Productivity
If conventional air inlets are used, then air exchange is achieved, but air is drawn from the concealed cistern contaminating rinsing water
Solution Approach 1:
The air inlet is extracted from the concealed cistern environment and repositioned to draw air from the surrounding building space through the pre-wall installation. This extraction of the air inlet from the cistern interior prevents the aerator from drawing air that could become contaminated with wastewater vapors or odors from the cistern.
Solution Approach 2:
The pre-wall installation structure serves as an intermediary channel that allows the air inlet to access fresh air from the building space without direct contact with the cistern's internal environment. This intermediary pathway separates the air intake function from the cistern's wastewater-containing atmosphere, preventing contamination while maintaining air exchange efficiency.
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 ensures effective ventilation of wastewater lines with reduced space requirements, easy installation and maintenance, and prevents contamination of rinsing water in case of check valve defects, maintaining efficient airflow and reducing the risk of odors escaping.
Implementation Method 1
the check valve opens when there is negative pressure in the wastewater pipe connected to the aerator, allowing air from the surrounding area to enter the pipe
Implementation Method 2
At normal or positive pressure in the wastewater pipe, the valve closes securely to prevent odors from escaping the aerator
Implementation Method 3
A typical pipe aerator is described in EP 1 650 363 A3 and DE 10 2016 203 980 A1. This type of aerator features a gravity-operated valve disc that seals against a valve seat
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a pipe ventilation system for wastewater pipes. The pipe aerator (10) according to the invention requires less or even no additional installation space for the pipe aerator (10) in buildings. Advantageously, the pipe aerator (10) can be installed directly in existing pre-wall installations (200) for concealed cisterns (226). The pipe aerator (10) can be installed in the previously unused space already present inside (228) of the concealed cistern (226), so that no additional installation space is required. Furthermore, the pipe aerator (10) remains accessible for maintenance purposes through the inspection opening (232) of the concealed cistern (226).