Gravity-Sealed Siphon Valve for Dry Odor Trap Reliability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing odor traps for urinals, floor drains, and shower trays face issues with reliable odor containment due to membrane drying and damage from cleaning agents, leading to ineffective sealing and odor escape.

Innovation Solution

A siphon design featuring a tubular inlet with a valve lever that articulates to create a gravity-controlled seal, utilizing a valve surface and elastomer seal to ensure airtight closure, with optional actuation mechanisms for enhanced sealing, particularly effective in preventing odor escape when no liquid is flowing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If flexible membranes are used to close lateral openings in the siphon, then the openings can be sealed when dry, but the membranes become damaged by cleaning agents and dry out, causing unreliable sealing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidmembrane integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the flexible membrane component entirely from the sealing mechanism. Instead of using membranes that are susceptible to damage, the invention employs a rigid valve lever with an integrated valve surface that directly seals against the outlet opening, eliminating the source of the reliability problem.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Rather than using a flexible membrane that conforms to the opening shape, the invention inverts the approach by using a rigid valve lever with a precisely shaped valve surface that is designed to mate with the outlet opening geometry, achieving sealing through rigid geometric compatibility rather than flexible adaptation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If adhesive forces are relied upon to seal the membrane to the housing, then sealing can occur in dry conditions, but adhesion fails when the surface dries out or the membrane ages

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidseal durability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The valve lever is designed with a valve surface that is pre-configured to engage with the outlet opening in a sealing manner. The geometry of the valve surface and outlet opening are matched in advance during manufacturing, ensuring that when the valve lever pivots into position, sealing contact is immediately established without relying on adhesion that degrades over time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the long-lived but fragile membrane with a simpler, more durable valve lever mechanism that does not rely on adhesive bonds. The sealing surface is integrated into the valve lever itself, eliminating the need for separate adhesive layers that have limited service life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If a valve lever is used to control the outlet opening, then reliable sealing can be achieved, but the valve lever must be precisely positioned to ensure proper sealing contact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal tightnessVSAvoidvalve lever positioning

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The valve lever is designed with an asymmetric valve surface geometry that is specifically shaped to match the asymmetric geometry of the outlet opening. This asymmetric design ensures that when the valve lever pivots into the closed position, the valve surface naturally aligns with the outlet opening, providing sealing contact at specific asymmetric contact points that are built into the design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The valve surface of the valve lever is designed with specific local geometric features that correspond to the local geometry of the outlet opening. Rather than requiring uniform precision across the entire valve lever, the design focuses sealing precision at the specific local contact area where the valve surface meets the outlet opening, reducing overall manufacturing precision requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 design effectively prevents odor escape by ensuring a hermetic seal without relying on membrane adhesion, maintaining reliability even in dry conditions and during cleaning, thereby improving the overall performance of odor traps.

Implementation Method 1

The valve surface closes the outlet opening by means of a positive and/or force-fit seal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

with a seal (10) made of an elastomer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2861803B1Siphon, particularly an odour trap for a urinal, a floor drain and/or a shower tray or the like

Publication Date: 2021.12.22 URINOWA

Figure 1~2
Figure 3~7
Figure 8~14

AI summary

A siphon, particularly an odour trap for a waterless urinal, a floor drain and/or a shower tray or the like, comprises a tubular inlet (1) and at least one outlet (2), the outlet opening (3) of which can be opened and closed to a drain that can be connected by means of a valve (4). The valve (4) comprises a valve lever (6) mounted in an articulated manner in the region of the inlet (1), which has an associated valve surface (7), wherein the valve surface (7) seals the outlet opening (3) in a form-fit and/or force-fit manner.