Composting toilet
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing composting toilets require manual handling and disassembly for agitation, have odour leakage issues, and compromise space efficiency due to design limitations.
Innovation Solution
A composting toilet with a removable solids collection chamber featuring an agitator driven by a stowable handle and engagement mechanism, allowing independent removal and agitation without additional power, and a novel urine diverting design with rotating plates to minimize odour and enhance user access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an external handle is fixed to the exterior of the unit for operating the agitation mechanism, then the agitation function is accessible, but the unit requires disassembly to invert and empty, and manual excavation is required
Solution Approach 1:
The handle is merged with the removable solids bin, forming an integrated assembly where the handle is attached to the bin rather than the fixed base. This allows the handle and bin to be removed together as a single unit, eliminating the need to disassemble the base structure to access the agitation mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The handle transitions from a fixed external attachment to a dynamic component that moves with the removable bin. The handle is designed to be temporarily attached to the bin during operation and then removed when the bin is emptied, allowing the system to adapt between operational and emptying states.
2Ease of operation
If a removable solids bin with external handle is used, then emptying is simplified, but a hole in the exterior is required which may allow odour escape
Solution Approach 1:
The handle and solids bin are merged into a single removable assembly, eliminating the need for separate external openings in the base structure. The handle becomes part of the bin assembly rather than a fixed external component requiring its own opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The handling and emptying operations are shifted from the horizontal plane (external openings in the base) to the vertical plane (removable bin assembly). The bin can be lifted vertically out of the base through the urine collection opening, avoiding the need for horizontal odour-blocking seals.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the agitation mechanism is fixed in the base, then structural stability is maintained, but manual excavation is required and disassembly is needed for emptying
Solution Approach 1:
The toilet system is segmented into a fixed base containing the agitation mechanism and a removable solids bin. This segmentation allows the bin to be easily removed for emptying while the base with the agitation mechanism remains stable and in place.
Solution Approach 2:
The agitation mechanism performs preliminary mixing of the solids before removal, reducing clumping and facilitating easier emptying. The bin is pre-positioned on the agitation mechanism, ready for immediate removal when full, eliminating delays.
4Volume of moving object
If space is reduced for portability, then portability is improved, but access to collection receptacles and chambers becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The solids collection chamber is segmented as a separate removable bin from the fixed base. This allows the bin to be easily accessed and removed from the compact toilet structure, providing full access to the collection chamber despite the overall compact size of the toilet unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The urine collection opening in the base serves multiple functions: it acts as the urine collection aperture during normal operation and as the access pathway for removing the solids bin. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate large openings, maintaining compact dimensions while enabling easy access.
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
Facilitates easy and efficient emptying, reduces odour leakage, and optimizes space usage by eliminating the need for external handles and seals, while promoting aerobic decomposition through agitation and urine separation.
Implementation Method 1
Separating the highly alkaline urine from faeces facilitates aerobic decomposition of the faeces by microbes
Implementation Method 2
it is known to include an agitator to move captured faeces and allow air to circulate
Implementation Method 3
Urine diverting toilets are a particular variety of composting toilet whereby faeces and urine are kept separate to facilitate composting
Implementation Method 4
the contents, in particular solid wastes, are often mixed with a dry, carbon rich material to facilitate drying, balance nitrogen-carbon ratios
Implementation Method 5
an extendable drive shaft having a first end and a second end, the first end connected to the handle and the second end is connected to the agitator
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a composting toilet (1) including: a body (10), a solids collection chamber (3) for receiving faecal matter, and an agitator (30) for moving faecal matter within the solids collection chamber (3); the agitator (30) rotatably mounted about an axis X, and an agitator drive mechanism (40) for driving the agitator; wherein the agitator drive mechanism (40) comprises a handle (50), an extendable drive shaft (60) having a first end (61) and a second end (62), the first end (61) connected to the handle (50) and the second end (62) is connected to the agitator (40); and the handle (50) is moveable from a first stowed position (51) to a second in-use position (52) for driving rotation of the agitator (30).