Flexible Urinal Storage Unit for Aircrew Dehydration Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aircrew, especially female aircrew, face challenges in bladder relief during long flights without removing restraint systems and flight equipment, leading to dehydration due to reduced liquid intake.
Innovation Solution
A urinary relief system comprising a storage unit with a collapsible body made from materials like plastic, rubber, or vinyl, featuring a first porous layer, an absorbent layer, and a second porous layer, along with a flow restrictor to prevent liquid from reaching the control unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If aircrew ingest fewer liquids to reduce the need to urinate during long flights, then the frequency of urination is reduced, but dehydration occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The storage unit is divided into three functional layers: a first porous layer for initial liquid distribution, a middle absorbent layer for liquid retention, and a second porous layer for controlled drainage. This segmentation allows the system to store urine during flight while preventing dehydration, as the absorbent layer captures liquid temporarily and the second porous layer enables controlled release when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage unit acts as an intermediary device between the aircrew's physiological needs and the flight constraints. It provides a mechanical solution (wearable storage device) that mediates the conflict between maintaining hydration and managing urination needs during extended flight periods without requiring removal of restraint systems.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a urinary relief system is implemented to allow bladder relief during flight, then dehydration is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes porous materials for the first and second porous layers, which naturally provide filtration and controlled flow properties. This eliminates the need for complex mechanical valves or pumps, as the porous structure inherently regulates liquid movement through capillary action and pressure differential, simplifying the overall device architecture while maintaining effective urine management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system leverages changes in physical parameters (pressure, flow rate, material absorption capacity) to control urine storage and release. The collapsible body changes volume and pressure as it fills and empties, automatically regulating flow without complex control systems. The absorbent layer's saturation point provides a natural parameter change that signals when the storage unit needs emptying.
3Reliability
If a storage unit with multiple layers is used to effectively store and manage urine, then urinary relief is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The storage unit employs a collapsible flexible body that can be manufactured from single-layer or laminated flexible materials. This approach simplifies manufacturing compared to rigid multi-component assemblies, as the flexible body can be formed using conventional plastic extrusion or lamination processes, then integrated with the porous and absorbent layers through relatively simple assembly operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system integrates multiple functional materials (porous polymer layers, absorbent gel or fiber materials, flexible body material) into a unified composite structure. These composite materials can be manufactured using layer-lamination or co-extrusion processes that are well-established in the plastics and hygiene products industries, making the multi-functional storage unit manufacturable without requiring exotic or complex fabrication techniques.
4Reliability
If a flow restrictor is added to prevent liquid from reaching the control unit, then system reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow restrictor is implemented as a porous barrier rather than a mechanical valve or pump. This porous structure allows controlled passage of fluids while preventing uncontrolled flow to the control unit. The passive operation of the porous restrictor, relying on capillary pressure and viscosity rather than active mechanical control, reduces component count and simplifies the overall device architecture while maintaining reliable protection of the control unit.
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 system effectively collects and stores urine, preventing dehydration and allowing aircrew to relieve themselves without removing flight equipment, while the collapsible design and materials ensure ease of use and maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
a first porous layer disposed within the body and adjacent the inlet port
Implementation Method 2
an absorbent layer disposed within the body and adjacent the first porous layer
Implementation Method 3
the body is configured to be collapsible
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
A storage unit for a urinary relief system is disclosed herein. The storage unit includes a body (302), an inlet port (304) coupled to the body, an outlet port (306) coupled to the body, a first porous layer (308) disposed within the body and adjacent the inlet port, an absorbent layer (310) disposed within the body and adjacent the first porous layer, and a second porous layer (312) disposed within the body and adjacent the absorbent layer and the outlet port.