Toilet Seat and Lid Assembly With Collapsible Urinal for Height Adaptation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional western-style water closets do not effectively address collateral contamination during urination, as they lack a mechanism for adjusting the urinal height to match users of different sizes, leading to unsanitary conditions and require additional space for external urinal devices that are often cumbersome and difficult to install.
Innovation Solution
A western-style water closet seat and lid assembly with an integral forward-mounted urinal that adjusts in height, features substantial side and back shielding, and a collapsible design to prevent collateral contamination, allowing for easy cleaning and storage, while maintaining the functionality of a traditional water closet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a stationary urinal is installed in a residential bathroom, then urine collection is improved, but bathroom space requirements increase and plumbing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The urinal is nested within the toilet seat assembly, allowing it to be stored compactly when not in use and deployed when needed. This eliminates the need for dedicated urinal space in the bathroom while maintaining full urination functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The urinal functionality is merged with the existing toilet seat structure, combining two separate functions (toilet and urinal) into a single integrated assembly. This eliminates the need for separate urinal installation and plumbing.
2Reliability
If a stationary urinal is installed, then urine collection is improved, but installation complexity and cost increase due to plumbing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The urinal utilizes the existing toilet bowl and plumbing infrastructure, merging the new function with existing systems. This eliminates the need for separate urinal plumbing installation, reducing both complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The toilet seat assembly is designed to serve multiple functions (toilet and urinal) using the same plumbing connection, making the system universally applicable to existing toilets without requiring specialized installation.
3Ease of manufacture
If a fixed-height urinal is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but adaptability to different user heights is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The urinal height is made adjustable through a telescoping or articulating mechanism that allows users to position the urinal at the appropriate height. This dynamic adjustment capability accommodates users of varying heights while maintaining a compact stored position.
Solution Approach 2:
The urinal structure is divided into adjustable segments or components that can be repositioned relative to each other, enabling height adaptation without requiring completely different units for different users.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the urinal is permanently mounted, then structural stability is improved, but ease of cleaning and maintenance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The urinal is mounted on an adjustable and removable mechanism rather than being permanently fixed. This allows the urinal to be easily detached for cleaning or replacement while maintaining stable operation during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The urinal is designed as a separate, modular component that can be independently removed from the toilet seat assembly, facilitating easy cleaning and maintenance without affecting the overall structure.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is a western style toilet seat and lid assembly, containing an integral urinal. The most basic embodiment presented herein features a front opening in a modified toilet lid, positioned directly over a rigidly attached urine pan, forming a urine receptacle conveniently located for standing users. Another embodiment features a removable and collapsible “dry” urinal cartridge, and a self-engaging lid braking system that allows users to quickly adjust the urinal position to their height. Other embodiments presented herein incorporate water rinse systems, supplied through concealed plumbing, and operated by manual or automatic pneumatic controls. The comprehensive designs integrate numerous user-friendly features including a self-opening cartridge, funnel spout seals that prevents drips during seated use, debris screening, odor control accommodations, and rotational dampening systems. For each embodiment presented herein, the toilet seat and lid operate just as conventional components, providing all the benefits of traditional seat and lid assemblies.