Hybrid Urinal Trap with Tangential Water Injection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional urinals face issues with water conservation, maintenance challenges due to struvite buildup, and clogging, especially in non-flushing and High Efficiency Urinals (HEUs), which require frequent flushing and can lead to unpleasant odors and costly maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid flushing system that combines odor and gas blocking mechanisms with a high-efficiency flushing and cleaning system, using a housing with a flushing fluid inlet and directing portion to deliver a focused, tangentially flowing flushing fluid that accelerates through a fluid exit portion, effectively cleaning critical areas prone to struvite buildup without the need for frequent water usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If traditional flushing systems are used to clean urinals, then cleanliness is maintained, but water consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by directing flushing fluid through specific pathways that target critical areas prone to struvite buildup, such as the trapway and drain areas, rather than flushing the entire urinal. This localized approach maintains cleanliness where it matters most while significantly reducing overall water consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The hybrid flushing system implements periodic action by using scheduled flushing cycles combined with on-demand flushing. The system flushes at predetermined intervals to prevent struvite accumulation, rather than requiring continuous or frequent flushing, thereby reducing water consumption while maintaining cleanliness.
2Reliability
If frequent flushing is performed to prevent struvite buildup, then cleanliness is maintained, but water consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating a pre-rinse feature that wets the urinal surface before urination occurs. This preliminary wetting prevents urine from adhering to dry surfaces and reduces the likelihood of struvite formation, thereby reducing the frequency and intensity of subsequent flushing operations and conserving water.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes parameters by adjusting flushing fluid pressure and flow rate based on detected needs. The flushing mechanism varies pressure levels - using higher pressure for cleaning critical areas and lower pressure for routine maintenance - optimizing water usage while effectively preventing struvite buildup.
3Reliability
If high-pressure flushing is used to clean critical areas, then struvite buildup is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the flushing system into distinct functional components: a main flushing pathway for general cleaning, a separate high-pressure injection pathway for critical areas, and an integrated control system. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall system simplicity through modular design.
4Loss of substance
If waterless urinal cartridges are used, then water consumption is minimized, but maintenance challenges arise due to clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by implementing a self-cleaning mechanism where the flushing system automatically cleans critical areas during and after urination events. The high-pressure flushing fluid flows through the trapway and drain areas to prevent struvite accumulation, reducing the frequency of manual maintenance and cartridge replacements.
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 hybrid system reduces water consumption while maintaining cleanliness and preventing clogs, offering a more trouble-free experience for both users and maintenance staff, with targeted high-pressure flushing that minimizes struvite buildup and odors, similar to traditional urinals but with significantly less water usage.
Implementation Method 1
the flushing fluid directing portion is configured to direct the fluid from the flushing fluid inlet into the cavity such that the flushing fluid flows substantially tangentially with respect to the wall portion
Implementation Method 2
The housing further comprises a fluid exit portion configured to accelerate the flushing fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A hybrid flushing system for water free urinals is presented with a housing having a wall portion forming a cavity for receiving a cartridge. The housing also includes a flushing fluid inlet portion for receiving a flushing fluid and a flushing fluid directing portion configured to direct the flushing fluid. A cartridge for installation into a housing is presented, including a cartridge wall, a flushing fluid receiving portion and a flushing fluid directing portion to direct flushing fluid received to any portion to clean areas of the housing, the cartridge, and connected plumbing. Steps for cleaning a hybrid flushing system are presented with an act of directing a flushing fluid into an area, where the area is one of a cartridge for a hybrid flushing system, a housing for a hybrid flushing system, and a plumbing system connected with the hybrid flushing system.