Gravity-Fed Bidet Water Supply for Rail Vehicle Sanitary Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle sanitary facilities, such as those in rail vehicles, often compromise on comfort and hygiene due to manual adjustments required for bidet water jets, which can vary in pressure and arc shape, and lack efficient hot water supply systems.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle equipped with a fall water system that uses gravity to supply water to a bidet, integrated with a toilet, featuring a heated hot water line and separate unheated flushing water line, ensuring consistent water pressure and arc shape independent of user operation, with adjustable spherical nozzles for optimal performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual adjustment valves are used for bidet water jets, then user control flexibility is improved, but water jet consistency and reliability deteriorate due to operator-dependent pressure and arc shape variations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser control flexibilityVSAvoidwater jet consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The bidet system uses a gravity-dependent water supply from an overhead tank that automatically maintains consistent water pressure and jet properties without requiring manual adjustment by the user. The system self-regulates the water flow to ensure the jet always remains within the bidet bowl, eliminating operator-dependent variations while maintaining ease of use through simple activation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If heated water is provided to the bidet, then user comfort is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser comfortVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-heats water in a storage tank before it reaches the bidet using trace heating on the water supply lines. This preliminary heating action ensures that when water is delivered to the bidet, it is already at the desired temperature for comfort, while the heating only occurs when water is actually being supplied, minimizing unnecessary energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Area of stationary object

If bidet and toilet functions are integrated in the same bowl, then space requirements are reduced, but functional separation and ease of operation may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace requirementsVSAvoidfunctional separation
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The bidet-toilet unit integrates both bidet and toilet functions within a single bowl structure. The system uses separate controllable nozzles - one set for bidet function and another for toilet flushing - allowing both functions to be operated independently through separate activation mechanisms, thereby achieving multi-functionality in a compact design without compromising operational clarity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Device complexity

If gravity-dependent water supply is used, then system complexity is reduced, but water pressure control flexibility is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidwater pressure control flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system positions the water storage tank directly overhead of the bidet, creating a vertical gravity-dependent supply system. The tank height and positioning are designed to provide the optimal water pressure for the bidet jet to always reach the desired arc and remain within the bowl. This equipotential arrangement eliminates the need for complex pressure regulation mechanisms while ensuring consistent and adequate water pressure delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #12Equipotentiality

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 provides enhanced comfort and hygiene by maintaining consistent water jet properties and temperature, reducing energy consumption, and allowing for independent operation of bidet and toilet functions within minimal space, while ensuring reliable and efficient operation.

Implementation Method 1

a bidet (42), which is connected to a fall water system (30) and is supplied with water by the latter due to the force of gravity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

the water pipe between the bidet and the water tank can be heated at least in sections by means of a pipe trace heating

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConduction (thermal): Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3137692B1Vehicle comprising a bidet
Publication Date: 2020.06.03 SIEMENS MOBILITY GMBH
  • EP3137692B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3137692B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3137692B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates, inter alia, to a vehicle, in particular a rail-bound vehicle (10). According to the invention, the vehicle (10) has at least one bidet (40) which is connected to a gravity water system (30) and which is gravity-fed with water by said system. The bidet (40) can be combined with a WC. The water supply for the bidet (40) can be provided with a pipe trace heating system (410).