Grey Water Toilet Flushing with Siphon Priming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional toilets consume a regulated volume of fresh water per flush cycle, and there is a growing need for water conservation without compromising performance.
Innovation Solution
Toilets configured to utilize a combination of fresh and grey water during the flush cycle, where grey water is introduced into the passage to prime the siphon, reducing the amount of fresh water required for effective waste evacuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If conventional toilets use regulated volume of fresh water per flush cycle, then flush performance is maintained, but fresh water consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
Grey water is introduced as an intermediary substance into the passage during the flush cycle. This grey water acts as a mediator that primes the siphon and facilitates waste evacuation, allowing the system to reduce fresh water consumption while maintaining flush performance through the combined action of fresh and grey water
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the water composition parameter by introducing grey water (recycled or alternative water source) into the passage during the flush cycle. This parameter change allows the toilet to use less fresh water while maintaining effective waste evacuation through the modified water mixture in the passage
2Loss of substance
If grey water is introduced into the passage to prime the siphon, then fresh water consumption is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The passage serves multiple functions: it carries waste from the bowl, receives grey water to prime the siphon, and facilitates waste evacuation. By making the passage multi-functional, the system reduces the need for separate components and maintains relatively simple device structure while achieving fresh water conservation
3Loss of substance
If grey water is used during flush cycle, then fresh water consumption is reduced by up to 75%, but potential odor and aesthetic issues may arise
Solution Approach 1:
The toilet system is segmented into distinct functional zones: the bowl receives fresh water for user contact and aesthetics, while the passage separately handles grey water for siphon priming and waste evacuation. This segmentation isolates the grey water pathway from the user-contact area, preventing odor and aesthetic issues while maintaining fresh water consumption reduction
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
Reduces fresh water consumption by up to 75% per flush while maintaining or improving flush performance, compliant with regulations, and eliminating the need for additional maintenance, with no detectable odor or aesthetic impact.
Implementation Method 1
The passage is configured to receive a second supply of water through the inlet opening during a flush cycle... opening a first valve to introduce a first supply of water into a passage to prime a siphon
Data Source
AI summary
A method of flushing a toilet that includes opening a first valve to introduce a first supply of grey water into a passage to prime a siphon; opening a second valve to introduce a second supply of water into a bowl from a tank, the bowl having an outlet that is in fluid communication with an inlet of the passage; closing the first valve to shut off the first supply of water; evacuating the contents of the bowl through an outlet of the passage by way of the siphon generated by the introduction of the first supply of water and the introduction of the second supply of water; and closing the second valve to shut off the second supply of water.