Non-Circular Sealing Membrane for Odor-Resistant Sanitary Traps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional odor trap devices for sanitary applications, particularly those without flushing water, face issues with odor formation due to dry conditions and require significant liquid volume to maintain the sealing effect, leading to inefficiencies in odor containment and liquid discharge.
Innovation Solution
The odor trap device features a sealing wall and membrane with non-circular cross-sectional profiles, allowing for lower compressive force to open the sealing membrane, ensuring reliable discharge of small liquid amounts and minimizing odor escape, with a rubber-elastic membrane design that includes a tapering section and an annular inlet channel for efficient liquid flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a sealing membrane with a circular cross-sectional profile is used, then the structural stability is maintained, but a large compressive force is required to open the membrane for liquid discharge
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing membrane is designed with a non-circular cross-sectional profile (oval, rectangular, or triangular) instead of a circular profile. This asymmetric shape creates uneven stress distribution when liquid pressure is applied, allowing the membrane to open more easily with lower compressive force while maintaining structural stability during the closed sealing state
2Quantity of substance
If a large quantity of liquid is required to open the sealing membrane, then the sealing effect is maintained, but small amounts of liquid cannot be discharged reliably
Solution Approach 1:
The non-circular cross-sectional profile of the sealing membrane creates geometric advantages that reduce the liquid volume needed to generate sufficient opening force. The asymmetric shape allows small liquid amounts to create uneven pressure distribution that effectively pushes the membrane open, ensuring reliable discharge of even minimal liquid quantities
3Productivity
If the sealing membrane is pressed open by liquid pressure, then liquid discharge is enabled, but dead spaces form in front of the odor barrier where odors can accumulate
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing membrane is designed to dynamically change its position and shape based on liquid pressure. When liquid is present, the membrane opens to allow discharge; when liquid is absent, the membrane returns to its closed position, eliminating dead spaces and preventing odor accumulation. This dynamic behavior ensures both efficient liquid discharge and odor prevention
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
This design ensures reliable and rapid discharge of small liquid volumes, reducing the risk of odor formation and maintaining a sealed environment, even under low liquid conditions, while minimizing dead spaces and supporting structural stability.
Implementation Method 1
a sealing membrane (6) made of rubber-elastic material having a circumferential sealing section (6.7), which in a closed position with its sealing section is in sealing contact with the sealing surface (1.25)
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a trap (1), in particular for a sanitary fixture, comprising a drain element (1.1) having a pipe section (1.2), wherein the pipe section (1.2) defines a sealing wall (1.3) with a circumferential sealing surface (1.25), a sealing membrane (6) made of rubber-elastic material having a circumferential sealing section (6.7), which in a closed position is in sealing contact with the sealing surface (1.25) of the sealing wall (1.3) and is pressed into an open position by the presence of liquid, in particular urine, from the sealing wall (1.3), and a holder (8) for storing the sealing membrane (6) relative to the sealing wall (1.3). In order to minimize the risk of odor formation in such a trap and to reliably drain even small amounts of urine or liquid, the invention provides that the circumferential sealing surface (1.25) of the sealing wall (1.3)3) and the circumferential sealing section (6.7) of the sealing membrane (6) have different cross-sectional profiles when the sealing membrane (6) is disassembled, wherein the sealing section (6.7) of the sealing membrane (6) is essentially circular and the sealing surface (1.25) of the sealing wall (1.3) has a cross-sectional profile that deviates from a circle.