Modular RV Waste Hose Assembly for Sanitary Odor Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing RV waste management systems, typically using flexible hoses, are prone to deterioration, harbor diseases, require frequent replacement, and lack effective sanitation due to trapped waste, leading to foul odors and unsanitary conditions.
Innovation Solution
A modular RV waste management system comprising 3D cylindrical non-flexible and flexible tubes with threaded couplers, allowing for adjustable and durable waste disposal, featuring a smooth inner surface and 360-degree seals to prevent waste accumulation and odor, using PVC, ABS, and Polypropylene materials that meet ASTM and CISPI standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If flexible hoses with accordion-style walls are used, then the system is inexpensive and flexible, but the hose deteriorates quickly, cannot be cleaned, and harbors diseases
Solution Approach 1:
The waste delivery system is divided into multiple modular sections (rigid pipe segments and flexible hose segments) that can be connected and disconnected. This segmentation allows the rigid portions to be cleaned and sanitized separately from the flexible portions, addressing the cleaning difficulty while maintaining overall system flexibility and affordability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the waste delivery system have different properties: rigid pipe sections provide structural stability and ease of cleaning, while flexible hose sections provide adaptability and cost-effectiveness. This local differentiation allows each part to excel at its specific function, resolving the contradiction between durability and manufacturing cost.
2Ease of manufacture
If flexible hoses are used, then the system is inexpensive, but waste accumulates in expansion joints breeding disease and producing foul odors
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the system into rigid and flexible sections with proper connectors, the design eliminates continuous accordion-style expansion joints throughout the entire hose. Waste accumulation is minimized at the connection points between segments, reducing disease breeding and foul odors while keeping the system inexpensive.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful expansion joint structure is extracted from the continuous hose and replaced with discrete connection points between modular segments. This removes the primary location where waste accumulates and breeds disease, while maintaining the flexibility and low cost of the overall system.
3Length of stationary object
If continuous 20-foot hose is used, then the system covers the needed length, but it cannot be cleaned and must be replaced frequently
Solution Approach 1:
The 20-foot waste delivery system is divided into multiple shorter modular sections that can be connected in series. This segmentation enables cleaning access to each section individually, extends system lifespan through maintainability, while maintaining the total required length for waste delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular design allows individual sections to be discarded and replaced without replacing the entire 20-foot system. When one section deteriorates or becomes contaminated beyond cleaning, only that specific section needs to be replaced, extending the overall system lifespan and reducing waste.
4Reliability
If modular sections with couplers are used, then the system is durable and cleanable, but the assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional features (connection, sealing, alignment) are merged into simple coupler designs that join rigid and flexible sections. This merging reduces the number of separate components and assembly steps, maintaining durability and cleanability while minimizing assembly complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The couplers are designed as universal connectors that work with both rigid pipe sections and flexible hose sections, providing both structural connection and sealing functionality. This multi-functionality reduces the variety of unique components needed, simplifying the modular assembly process while maintaining system durability.
Data Source
AI summary
A recreational vehicle waste delivery system with lengths of 3D cylindrical non-flexible tube and of 3D cylindrical flexible-tube, a first-coupler and, a second-coupler. The first coupler, the at least one flexible-tube, the second-coupler and the at least one flexible-tube in combination are able to be removably couplable modularly in series to provide an adjustable, modular waste management system for delivering waste from an rv to an in-ground sewer connection when engaged with a disposal fitting of the rv.