Flexible Cup Odour Trap for Compact Drainage Sealing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing odour traps for drainage systems face challenges such as large size, inefficiency in water flow, and maintenance requirements due to moving parts, which complicates their operation and manufacturing.

Innovation Solution

A cup-shaped odour trap member that flexes to allow water flow when liquid weight exceeds a predetermined force, sealing back to prevent backflow and odour entry, with a flexible material that returns to its original shape, and a design that adapts to pressure from backflow to prevent damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If bottle traps or P-traps are used to prevent odour, then odour prevention is effective, but the size becomes large which makes them inconvenient for limited spaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveodour preventionVSAvoidtrap size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The cup-shaped member is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position between a first position for sealing and a second position for water flow. This dynamic mechanism enables the trap to maintain effective odour prevention while minimizing its space requirements, as the cup only needs to move vertically rather than occupy a large fixed volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The cup-shaped member is made from flexible material that can deform and flex during operation. This flexibility allows the cup to seal effectively against the base portion in the first position while allowing water to pass through when moved to the second position, achieving both odour prevention and water flow functionality in a compact design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Volume of moving object

If membrane traps are used to reduce size, then space requirement is reduced, but water flow capability becomes insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrap sizeVSAvoidwater flow

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If bottle traps are used for odour prevention, then odour sealing is effective, but self-cleaning function becomes inefficient leading to dirt and hair accumulation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveodour sealingVSAvoidself-cleaning function

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The trap provides continuous self-cleaning action through the movement of the cup-shaped member. When water flows through the drain, it exerts force on the cup causing it to move to the second position, which allows water to flush through and clean the trap interior. This continuous action during normal water usage prevents accumulation of dirt and hair without requiring separate maintenance operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

4Volume of moving object

If odour traps with moving parts are used to reduce size and improve water flow, then space and flow requirements are met, but periodic maintenance is required due to clogging of moving parts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrap sizeVSAvoidservice life

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The trap is designed to clean itself during normal operation. When water flows through the drain, it exerts force on the cup-shaped member causing it to move to the second position, allowing water to flush through and clean the interior surfaces. This self-cleaning action prevents accumulation of dirt and hair on moving parts, eliminating the need for periodic maintenance and extending service life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

5Volume of moving object

If odour traps with moving parts are used to achieve compact size, then space requirement is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases due to additional components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrap sizeVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The cup-shaped member integrates multiple functions into a single component: it serves as both the sealing element and the moving part that controls water flow. By combining the sealing function and the flow control function into one integrated component made of flexible material, the design reduces the number of separate parts needed, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining compact size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 solution provides an efficient, compact odour trap that maintains effective odour prevention with reduced maintenance needs, suitable for limited spaces and adaptable to varying pressures, enhancing operational efficiency and convenience.

Implementation Method 1

when the force of the liquid in contact with the cup-shaped member (e.g. the weight of the liquid) exceeds a predetermined amount, the flexible member is configured to flex

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWeight force: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

The return of the cup-shaped member into its first position may be seen as the inner memory of the flexible material, where the flexible material returns to its original configuration/shape, when the force applied is below a certain amount

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic memory: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

even thought there is a pressure applied to the cup-shaped member from the downstream side, i.e. from the drainage pipe or the sewer side, in form of a backflow of air or gasses, the increased pressure will force the part of the cup-shaped member which is in contact with the base member to close even more tightly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP3255216B1Odour trap

Publication Date: 2020.09.09 BLS INDUSTIES AB

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

An odour trap member (100) comprising: - a base portion having a upstream portion (112) and a downstream portion (114), where the base portion comprises an opening (defined by edge 130) between the upstream portion and the downstream portion allowing fluid communication through the opening, - a cup member (120) made having a wall of a flexible elastomeric material, the cup member having a peripheral edge and a central portion (140), wherein the wall extends from the central portion and towards the peripheral edge, wherein the cup member is operable to attain at least a first position in which a part of the cup member abuts the base portion to prevent fluid communication through the opening and a second position in which the part of the cup member is spaced apart from the base portion to open up for fluid communication through opening.