Flexible Urinal Screen with Segmented Strips for Drain Clog Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional urinal screens are prone to clogging due to debris and garbage accumulation, leading to standing water and foul odors, and lack adjustability to fit various urinal shapes and sizes.
Innovation Solution
A flexible urinal screen with a circular configuration and adjustable outer strips that can be elevated, combined with a module for cleaning agents and fragrance, allowing it to conform to different urinal surfaces and prevent debris entry while concealing unsightly urine and water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a flat screen completely encircling the drain is used, then the screen provides complete coverage and blocks urine from sight, but the screen bottom forms a seal that causes liquid to pass through perforations which get clogged with debris and garbage
Solution Approach 1:
The screen is divided into a peripheral portion and a central portion with separate functions. The peripheral portion provides coverage and sealing, while the central portion remains open to allow debris-free liquid passage through the drain, preventing clogging while maintaining urine concealment.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful function of the screen bottom seal that causes clogging is extracted by creating an open central portion that excludes debris from the drain area, while retaining the beneficial coverage function in the peripheral portion.
2Device complexity
If a fixed flat screen is used, then the screen structure is simple, but the screen cannot adapt to different urinal shapes and sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The screen transitions from a fixed flat structure to a dynamic configuration where the peripheral portion can be elevated above the urinal surface, allowing adaptation to different urinal shapes and sizes while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The screen design adds vertical dimension by elevating the peripheral portion above the urinal surface, transforming from a purely two-dimensional flat screen to a three-dimensional structure that can adapt to various urinal geometries.
3Area of stationary object
If the screen bottom forms a seal with the urinal surface, then the screen effectively blocks urine from sight, but standing liquid accumulates and emits foul odor
Solution Approach 1:
The screen is segmented into a peripheral portion that provides sealing and coverage for concealment, and a central open portion that prevents liquid accumulation by allowing drainage, thereby eliminating the source of foul odors while maintaining urine visibility blocking.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provides a urinal screen comprising a flexible screen in a circular configuration having a center portion and a contiguous outer portion encircling the center portion, the outer portion being separated into one or more elongated strips extending outwardly from the center portion, and the center portion having a center hole extending therethrough. When positioned on a surface of a urinal or other fixture, the screen is substantially conformable to the urinal surface without sacrificing the screen objective to keep debris from entering drain. In embodiments, the center portion of the screen can be adjustable in height such that the screen is in a mound- or dome-like configuration and still preventing any debris from entering the drain.