Modular Urinal Spreader Assembly with Interchangeable Spray Mat
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional urinal spreaders lack the ability to direct water to specific areas of the basin, leading to inefficient washing and excessive water usage, as they are typically manufactured as single, universal pieces that do not accommodate the varying shapes and sizes of urinals.
Innovation Solution
A modular spreader assembly comprising a body and a sprayer mat with multiple spray holes, where the mat is configured to direct water to particular areas of the urinal basin, and is interchangeable to fit different urinal designs, ensuring effective water distribution and conservation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single slot spreader configuration is used, then the spreader can be manufactured as an integral part, but it cannot direct water to specific areas of the urinal basin
Solution Approach 1:
The spreader is divided into multiple segments: a body portion and multiple interchangeable mats, each with different spray hole patterns. This allows the system to maintain easy manufacturing of the body while enabling adaptation to different urinal configurations through mat selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The body portion serves as a universal component that can accommodate multiple different mats designed for various urinal shapes and sizes. This multi-functionality allows a single body design to serve diverse applications by simply changing the mat component.
2Device complexity
If a single slot spreader is used, then the structure is simple, but excessive water is required to wash the basin thoroughly
Solution Approach 1:
Each mat is designed with spray holes positioned and oriented to direct water to specific areas of the urinal basin appropriate for that mat's intended application. This localized water targeting ensures thorough washing of relevant areas while minimizing water waste on unnecessary areas.
3Adaptability or versatility
If an integral spreader is manufactured for each urinal type, then water can be directed to specific areas, but manufacturing costs increase due to multiple custom parts
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the spreader into a universal body and interchangeable mats. Only the mats require custom design for different urinal types, while the body remains standardized. This reduces manufacturing complexity compared to creating entirely custom integral spreaders for each urinal configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
A single universal body design serves multiple urinal configurations when paired with appropriate mats. This universality reduces the total number of unique parts that need to be manufactured, lowering overall manufacturing costs while maintaining adaptability.
4Ease of manufacture
If a generic spreader design is used across all urinals, then manufacturing is simplified, but the spreader cannot accommodate various urinal shapes and sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The spreader system segments functionality between a standardized body and customized mats. The body maintains manufacturing standardization while the mats provide the adaptability needed for different urinal shapes and sizes through their varied spray hole patterns and orientations.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal body combined with multiple specialized mats creates a multi-functional system that can adapt to various urinal configurations. This approach achieves both manufacturing simplicity through the standardized body and adaptability through the interchangeable mat collection.
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 solution allows for efficient water distribution to specific areas of the urinal basin, reducing water usage and accommodating various urinal shapes and sizes, thereby enhancing cleaning effectiveness while promoting water conservation.
Implementation Method 1
Each spray hole is oriented to direct water onto a particular area of the urinal, when water is supplied to flush the urinal
Data Source
AI summary
A urinal is disclosed as having a spreader assembly. The spreader assembly includes a spreader body that may be mounted to the urinal, and a spreader mat. The spreader mat includes a series of spray holes. The spreader body is connected to a water supply, and a perimeter of the spreader mat is sealed to the spreader body. Each spray hole of the spreader mat is oriented to direct water onto a particular area of the urinal, when water is supplied to flush the urinal.