Integrated Water Strainer and Chemical Additive Device for Marine Toilets

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing marine and recreational vehicle toilet systems face challenges with low-purity water and associated odors, as separate water strainer and chemical additive systems require additional space, maintenance, and labor for installation, and can introduce points of weakness leading to water damage.

Innovation Solution

A unified water straining and chemical additive device that removably attaches to various inline water filters and strainers, providing both straining capabilities and a mounting point for deodorizing chemical additives, with features like adjustable mixing apertures and check valves to manage fluid communication and prevent backflow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate water strainer and chemical additive systems are used, then straining and deodorizing functions are provided, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestraining and deodorizing functionVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the water strainer and chemical additive dispenser into a single integrated device. The strainer housing contains both the filtration element and the chemical cartridge mechanism, allowing both straining and deodorizing functions to be performed by one unified system rather than separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated device performs multiple functions simultaneously: it filters particulate matter through the strainer while also dispensing chemical additives for odor control. The single device replaces what would otherwise require separate water strainer and chemical addition systems, providing multi-functionality in a unified structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If separate water strainer and chemical additive systems are used, then straining and deodorizing functions are provided, but installation labor and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestraining and deodorizing functionVSAvoidinstallation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the water strainer and chemical additive dispenser into a single integrated device. The strainer housing contains both the filtration element and the chemical cartridge mechanism, allowing both straining and deodorizing functions to be performed by one unified system rather than separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If separate water strainer and chemical additive systems are used, then straining and deodorizing functions are provided, but maintenance requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestraining and deodorizing functionVSAvoidmaintenance ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the water strainer and chemical additive dispenser into a single integrated device. The strainer housing contains both the filtration element and the chemical cartridge mechanism, allowing both straining and deodorizing functions to be performed by one unified system rather than separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 device simplifies installation and operation, reduces maintenance, and prevents water damage by integrating straining and additive functions, ensuring effective odor reduction and fluid management in tankless or portable toilet systems.

Implementation Method 1

An inflow filter screen may be coupled to the peripheral aperture. An outflow filter screen may be coupled to the central aperture

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical filtration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

The device may comprise a check valve disposed within the outflow conduit, and the check valve may block fluid communication from the outflow conduit to the inflow conduit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectValve mechanism: Valve

Data Source

PatentUS10093565B2Water straining and chemical additive device for marine vessels and recreational vehicles

Publication Date: 2018.10.09 BUTLER PHILIP BRYCE

AI summary

In some embodiments, a water straining and chemical additive device may include a filter body having a wall inflow surface, a central aperture, and a peripheral aperture. A return water tube having a tube outflow surface and a tube inflow surface may be coupled to the filter body. An inflow conduit may be in fluid communication with the peripheral aperture, and the inflow conduit may be formed by the wall inflow surface and the tube inflow surface. An inflow filter screen may be coupled to the peripheral aperture. A filter cap forming a primary cavity in fluid communication with the central aperture and the peripheral aperture may be coupled to the filter body. An outflow filter screen may be coupled to the central aperture. An outflow conduit may be in fluid communication with the central aperture, and the outflow conduit may be formed by the tube outflow surface.