Fecal Canister Hook Retention Design for Zero-Gravity Bag Compaction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In zero gravity environments, fecal collection bags in space vehicles tend to expand and block air holes in compactors, leading to inefficient waste management and potential contamination issues.
Innovation Solution
A fecal canister with a compaction lid and hook-and-loop fastener system that maintains compacted storage bags, ensuring air holes remain unblocked by using angled interior design and tabs that bend to engage hooks, preventing bag expansion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If fecal collection bags are stored in a compactor in zero gravity, then space utilization is improved, but the bags may expand and block air holes
Solution Approach 1:
The compaction lid is pre-loaded with spring force that acts before and during bag storage, maintaining continuous pressure on the bags to prevent expansion. This preliminary action ensures bags remain compressed and air holes stay clear without requiring active monitoring or intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
A retention mechanism using hooks and loops acts as an intermediary between the compaction lid and storage bags. The loops on the lid engage with hooks on the bags, providing a mechanical connection that reinforces the spring pressure and prevents bag expansion that would block air holes.
2Reliability
If compaction pressure is increased to prevent bag expansion, then air hole blockage is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The compaction lid incorporates a spring mechanism that automatically maintains compression force on the bags without requiring external power sources, control systems, or active monitoring. The system self-regulates the compaction pressure, eliminating the need for complex electronic controls or manual intervention while ensuring reliable bag retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The hook-and-loop retention mechanism serves as a simple mechanical intermediary that works passively with the spring force. This passive mechanical system avoids the need for complex active control mechanisms, motors, or sensors, thereby maintaining low device complexity while ensuring reliable bag retention.
3Ease of operation
If bags are allowed to expand for easy access, then ease of operation is improved, but air holes become blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded compaction lid applies preliminary and continuous compression force to keep bags compacted during storage. This preliminary action prevents expansion that would block air holes, while the modular bag design allows for easy removal and replacement without requiring the bags to expand during storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses disposable storage bags that are sealed and compacted. These bags are designed for single-use or limited-use cycles, eliminating the need to repeatedly expand and compress the same bag. This approach maintains air hole clearance during storage while allowing easy access by simply replacing bags rather than expanding them.
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
Effectively retains compacted bags, preventing air hole blockage and ensuring airflow for waste separation and storage efficiency, maintaining a clean and organized space environment.
Implementation Method 1
a spring, or the like, to maintain a downward force on the compaction lid
Implementation Method 2
The retention mechanism includes a plurality of hooks 52 and loops 54, with the hooks 52 positioned on the compaction lid 26 and the loops 54 positioned on the canister 22
Data Source
AI summary
A fecal canister for use in a space application has a canister body extending from an inlet end toward a remote end. Hooks are aligned along an inner surface of the canister from the inlet end towards the remote end. In embodiments, a compaction lid, or a storage bag catch on the hooks to maintain a compacted position.