Parallel-Overflow Odor Trap for Compact High-Capacity Drainage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drainage devices for sanitary facilities suffer from limited drainage capacity and are bulky due to numerous deflections and small flow cross-sections, leading to turbulence and inefficient water flow.

Innovation Solution

A drainage device with a housing and insert featuring two parallel overflow edges and a rectangular drainage channel, optimized flow cross-sections, and hydrophilic surfaces to reduce turbulence and enhance flow efficiency, along with a compact design using baffles and hydrophilic coatings to minimize water column protrusion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a cylindrical retaining wall is used, then the device structure is simple, but turbulence increases and flow velocity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidflow velocity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the cylindrical retaining wall with a conical retaining wall that has a specific angle of inclination (alpha). This conical shape with optimized curvature reduces turbulence by guiding water flow more smoothly, while the angled surface maintains structural simplicity. The conical geometry optimizes the balance between structural simplicity and flow velocity by reducing eddy formation compared to cylindrical designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Reliability

If numerous deflections are included in the drainage path, then the odor trap function is improved, but drainage capacity is limited and device height increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveodor trap functionVSAvoiddrainage capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the drainage path into distinct functional zones: an inlet channel, a conical retaining wall section, an overflow channel, and a drainage outlet. This segmentation allows each section to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining a compact overall structure. The segmented design reduces the number of deflections needed while preserving odor trap functionality, thereby improving drainage capacity without increasing device height.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the vertical dimension effectively by implementing a conical retaining wall with optimized inclination angle. This dimensional approach allows the drainage path to extend vertically in a controlled manner rather than requiring multiple horizontal deflections, reducing turbulence and improving flow velocity while maintaining compact device height.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Volume of moving object

If the flow cross-section is reduced, then the device becomes more compact, but turbulence increases and drainage capacity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice compactnessVSAvoidflow velocity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the flow cross-section parameters by implementing a conical retaining wall with a specifically designed inclination angle (alpha) and dimensional ratios. The cross-sectional area and shape are carefully parameterized to maintain compact device volume while ensuring sufficient flow velocity. The conical geometry with optimized parameters allows compact design without creating turbulence, as the gradual slope maintains smooth flow conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Length of stationary object

If the installation height is reduced, then the device becomes more compact, but the available space for flow calibration is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation heightVSAvoidflow calibration
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a conical retaining wall with optimized curvature and inclination angle to achieve flow calibration within a compact vertical space. The conical shape provides the necessary flow calibration surface in a reduced height compared to cylindrical designs, as the angled surface creates the required flow conditions more efficiently. This curvature optimization allows sufficient flow calibration while maintaining low installation height.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the geometric parameters of the retaining wall from cylindrical to conical, with specific optimization of the inclination angle and dimensional ratios. These parameter changes enable the flow calibration function to be achieved in a more compact height, as the conical geometry provides the necessary flow control surface area within a reduced vertical envelope, maintaining flow stability while reducing installation height.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 achieves improved drainage capacity of 24-40 l/min with a compact design, reducing turbulence and optimizing flow conditions while maintaining a low installation height.

Implementation Method 1

the overflow edge (10) is provided with a hydrophilic surface, at least in part

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrophilic surface effect: Hydrophile

Data Source

PatentEP4636179A1Drain device and sanitary installation
Publication Date: 2025.10.22 BETTE GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4636179A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2A
  • EP4636179A1 patent drawingFigure 2B~2C
  • EP4636179A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A drainage device (1) comprises an odor trap with a housing (2) that can be fixed to a drain opening (22) of a sanitary tub (20) and with an insert (3) that is detachably fixed to the housing (2), wherein an inlet channel (4) to a lower deflection is formed between the housing (2) and the insert (3), and at least one retaining wall (9) is arranged in the housing (2), which retains dirty water from the lower deflection up to an overflow edge (10) on the at least one retaining wall (9), wherein dirty water flows from the overflow edge (10) into a drain channel (12) in the housing (2), which is connected to a drain nozzle (6) connected to the housing (2), wherein two parallel overflow edges (10) are provided and the dirty water flows from the two overflow edges (10) in a common drain channel (12). This allows the drainage device (1) to be provided in a compact design with a high drainage capacity.