Drain Pipe Connector With Check Valves for Aerosol Backflow
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drain traps in plumbing fixtures allow backflow of bacteria and contaminated aerosols into the fixture and surrounding environment, due to biofilm formation and water impingement on biofilm, which contaminates the air and plumbing system.
Innovation Solution
A drain system with a unidirectional valve and pressure equalizing mechanism that prevents backflow by sealing the drain trap when no liquid is flowing and allows fluid to flow into the trap when liquid pressure is applied, while a pressure equalizing conduit relieves gas pressure to maintain proper water flow and includes a biological filter to purify exiting gas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a conventional drain trap is used, then debris and objects can be captured in the trap, but bacteria and contaminated aerosols can backflow into the fixture and surrounding environment
Solution Approach 1:
The drain system is divided into separate functional segments: a first unidirectional valve for preventing backflow into the fixture, a drain trap for debris capture, and a second unidirectional valve for preventing aerosol release into the environment. This segmentation allows each component to address specific harmful factors independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The drain trap acts as an intermediary chamber between the fixture and the environment. It captures debris while containing biofilm formation, and the unidirectional valves serve as intermediary barriers that control fluid and aerosol flow directions, preventing harmful backflow at both interfaces.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a unidirectional valve is added to prevent backflow, then bacteria contamination is reduced, but gas pressure builds up in the drain pipe
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure equalization conduit serves as an intermediary pressure relief pathway. It connects the sealed drain pipe region to the drain trap, allowing excess gas pressure to be equalized without compromising the backflow prevention function of the unidirectional valves.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses pneumatic pressure equalization through the conduit to balance gas pressures on both sides of the unidirectional valve, preventing pressure buildup that would otherwise interfere with valve operation or cause leaks.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If water flow is blocked to prevent aerosol release, then contaminated aerosol backflow is prevented, but proper water drainage is impeded
Solution Approach 1:
The second unidirectional valve dynamically responds to flow direction: it remains closed during normal operation to prevent aerosol release, but opens automatically when water flows downward to drain, allowing proper drainage while maintaining protection against aerosol backflow.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve operates in periodic cycles: closed during static periods to prevent aerosol escape, and open during water flow periods to maintain drainage functionality. This periodic action reconciles the conflicting requirements of containment and flow.
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
Prevents the release of bacteria and contaminated aerosols into the environment by blocking backflow and maintaining continuous water flow through the drain system, while using a biological filter to purify exiting gas.
Implementation Method 1
the first unidirectional valve is normally closed, and when liquid drains into the first unidirectional valve, pressure applied by the liquid transitions the first unidirectional valve from the closed operative orientation to the open operative orientation
Implementation Method 2
a pressure equalizing mechanism permitting flow of gas from a region of the drain pipe connector between the first unidirectional valve and a liquid level within the drain trap, to release super-atmospheric pressure from the region
Implementation Method 3
includes a biological filter to purify exiting gas
Data Source
AI summary
A drain pipe connector adapted to be disposed between a drain portal of a plumbing fixture and a sewage pipe. The drain pipe connector includes a first unidirectional valve adapted to be in fluid communication with the drain portal, and a drain trap in connected to the first unidirectional valve and adapted to be connected to the sewage pipe. The first unidirectional valve has a closed operative orientation, in which the first unidirectional valve forms a seal between the drain portal and the drain trap, and an open operative orientation which enables flow of fluid from the drain portal, via the first unidirectional valve, into the drain trap. The first unidirectional valve is normally closed, and when liquid drains into the first unidirectional valve, pressure applied by the liquid transitions the first unidirectional valve from the closed operative orientation to the open operative orientation, thereby enabling the liquid to flow into the drain trap.