Flexible Fluidic System for Portable Urinal Rinsing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile self-rinsing urinals face issues with bulkiness and inefficiency due to the need for large quantities of rinsing liquid, which leads to overflow problems during vehicle movements, and they are not conveniently portable due to weight and size constraints.
Innovation Solution
A mobile urinal with a flexible fluidic system that includes a first valve to regulate rinsing flow and a reversible pump to minimize rinsing liquid usage, along with a second valve for controlled emptying, allowing for efficient rinsing and drainage without excessive liquid consumption, and incorporating a selective event detector and acoustic transmitter for improved operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large quantity of rinsing liquid is used to ensure effective rinsing, then the rinsing effectiveness is improved, but the volume and weight of the urinal increase, making it less portable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamic control through a reversible pump that can switch between pressurization and suction modes, and valves that regulate fluid flow based on operational phase. This dynamic system allows effective rinsing with variable flow rates rather than requiring continuously high liquid volumes, resolving the contradiction between rinsing effectiveness and portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The urinal operates in periodic cycles alternating between rinsing phase (with pump pressurization) and emptying phase (with pump suction). This periodic action allows the system to achieve thorough rinsing during specific intervals while minimizing overall liquid consumption, thereby reducing the required volume and weight of the urinal system.
2Quantity of substance
If a large quantity of rinsing liquid is stored in the reservoir, then the rinsing capacity is improved, but the weight of the urinal increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reversible pump system enables self-service operation where the same pump handles both pressurizing rinsing liquid during rinsing cycles and suctioning waste during emptying cycles. This eliminates the need for separate heavy pumping systems and allows efficient use of minimal rinsing liquid quantities, reducing overall system weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by switching the pump between pressurization mode (for rinsing) and suction mode (for emptying). This parameter change allows the system to achieve effective rinsing with small liquid quantities and efficient waste removal, minimizing the required reservoir size and overall weight.
3Length of moving object
If the urinal is designed for portability with reduced size, then the ease of transport is improved, but the fluidic system becomes more complex to manage fluid flow
Solution Approach 1:
The reversible pump serves multiple functions: it pressurizes rinsing liquid during rinsing cycles, creates suction during emptying cycles, and can be controlled through automatic sensors or manual input. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, simplifying the overall fluidic system while maintaining compact dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms including automatic sensors that detect when rinsing or emptying is needed, and control logic that automatically activates the reversible pump in the appropriate mode. This feedback control simplifies fluid management by eliminating complex manual valve operations and reducing the cognitive load on the user despite the compact design.
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 reduces the volume and weight of the urinal, making it more portable and ecological, while preventing overflow and enhancing user convenience by efficiently managing rinsing liquid and providing a stress-relief sound environment, thus improving usability in confined spaces.
Implementation Method 1
The fluidic system is adapted, in a first state of its operation, to pressurize the rinsing liquid in the first fluidic circuit and to deliver this rinsing liquid into the portable collector
Implementation Method 2
The fluidic system is adapted, in a second state of its operation distinct from the first state of its operation, to induce, in the second fluidic circuit, a suction depression capable of emptying the portable collector
Implementation Method 3
The urine collected in the portable collector 1 arrives, thanks to gravity G, in the storage tank 2200 of the second fluidic circuit 22
Data Source
Figure 2~3
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AI summary
The invention relates to a self-flushing, portable urinal (Ψ) comprising a collector (1) connected to a fluidic system (2) which includes: • a first circuit (21) adapted to supply flushing fluid to the collector (1) and comprising a valve (210), • a second circuit (22) adapted to drain the collector (1). The fluidic system (2) is adapted: • in a first state (S1) of its operation, to pressurize the flushing fluid and deliver it to the collector (1), • in a second state (S2) of its operation, to induce a suction vacuum capable of draining the collector (1). According to the invention, the valve (210), adapted to regulate a flushing flow rate through the first circuit (21), is open when the fluidic system (2) is in the first state (S1). The first and second circuits (21), (22) are flexible.