Movable Membrane Odour Trap for Straight Conduit Branches
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transport conduits with odour traps are limited in their applicability, particularly when used in systems with straight side branches at an angle to horizontally running main branches, as they require bends that lead to waste accumulation and are not easily removable for maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A transport conduit system with an odour trap featuring a releasable mounting part and a dual-tubular membrane that moves under fluid pressure to allow passage, where the membrane parts are angled to match the conduit branches, preventing waste accumulation and allowing easy removal for maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If bends are used in transport conduits to accommodate odour traps, then odour trapping function is achieved, but waste accumulation occurs and passage optimality is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane is designed to be movable between a closing position (blocking the passage) and an open position (allowing fluid flow). This dynamic structure allows the odour trap to function without requiring permanent bends in the conduit, thereby preventing waste accumulation while maintaining odour trapping capability
Solution Approach 2:
A flexible membrane made of elastic material is used instead of rigid bend structures. The membrane can deform and move to close or open the passage as needed, eliminating the need for fixed bends that cause waste accumulation, while still providing effective odour trapping when closed
2Reliability
If odour traps are integrated into transport conduits with bends, then odour trapping is effective, but removal for maintenance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The odour trap is designed as a separate, modular component that can be independently removed from the transport conduit. The mounting part allows the membrane assembly to be detached for maintenance or replacement without affecting the rest of the conduit system, making repair easy while maintaining effective odour trapping during operation
3Object-generated harmful factors
If straight side branches are used in transport conduits, then waste accumulation is prevented, but existing odour trap designs cannot be effectively applied
Solution Approach 1:
The movable membrane adapts to straight side branch configurations by closing the passage dynamically when needed, eliminating the requirement for bends that previous designs needed to function. This allows effective odour trapping in straight conduit configurations that prevent waste accumulation
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane's position and shape parameters change between closed and open states, allowing the odour trap to function effectively in straight side branches without requiring the geometric parameters (bends) that earlier designs depended upon
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 system provides optimal fluid passage without waste accumulation, is cost-effective, and allows for easy maintenance due to its modular design, suitable for common conduit configurations like Y- or T-junctions, reducing production costs and enhancing reliability.
Implementation Method 1
the membrane is at least partially movable under pressure of a fluid from a closing position, in which the membrane closes the passage of the main branch to the fluid, to a position allowing passage
Implementation Method 2
the membrane is provided at an end remote from the mounting part with a collar, which in the closing position lies substantially sealingly against the inner wall of the main branch
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
The invention relates to an odour trap (31) for a transport conduit (10) with a division into a main branch (11) and a side branch (12). The odour trap comprises a mounting part (32) for releasable mounting in the side branch, and a membrane (33) of elastic material which comprises a first membrane part (33) to be received in the side branch (12) and a second membrane part (34) to be received in the main branch (11). The second membrane part (34) lies at an angle relative to the first membrane part (33). The membrane is at least partially movable under pressure of a fluid from a closing position, in which the membrane closes the passage of the main branch to the fluid, to a position allowing passage in which the membrane leaves clear the passage of the main branch for the fluid. The invention also relates to a system of a transport conduit (10) with a division into a main branch (11) and a side branch (12) and an odour trap (1) according to the invention.