Removable Jet Pipe Assembly with Foreign Object Strainer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current toilet fixtures face issues with debris from deteriorating sealing materials and vacuum breaker rubber entering the piping system, causing clogs and poor flushing performance, which is difficult to clean without disassembling the toilet.
Innovation Solution
A toilet fixture with a clog prevention and cleanout arrangement, featuring a removable jet pipe assembly with a locking mechanism and a foreign object strainer with a reservoir, designed to prevent debris from entering the toilet bowl and facilitate easy cleanout.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the jet pipe is welded into the waste pipe, then the connection is strong and leak-proof, but the cleanout of debris becomes extremely difficult requiring toilet disassembly and manufacturer intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The jet pipe assembly is segmented into removable components including the jet pipe, mounting base, and locking mechanism. This allows the jet pipe to be disconnected and removed for cleanout without damaging the waste pipe or requiring toilet disassembly, while still providing a strong locked connection during normal operation through the locking arms and spring-biased engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism transitions from a static welded connection to a dynamic removable connection. The spring-biased locking arms provide automatic engagement for strong connection during use, while allowing intentional disengagement for maintenance. This dynamic system adapts between operational and maintenance states without requiring permanent structural changes.
2Reliability
If sealing materials and vacuum breaker rubber are used, then the toilet fixture functions properly with water supply and sealing, but these materials deteriorate over time causing debris that clogs the piping system
Solution Approach 1:
A strainer is introduced as an intermediary component between the water supply system and the jet pipe assembly. This strainer captures deteriorating sealing materials and rubber debris before they can enter and clog the piping system, allowing the sealing materials to continue functioning while preventing their degradation products from causing harm downstream.
Solution Approach 2:
The deteriorating sealing materials, which would normally be harmful debris causing clogs, are instead captured and contained by the strainer. The harmful effect of material degradation is converted into a manageable situation where debris is collected in a accessible location for easy removal, transforming a maintenance problem into a simple cleaning task.
3Ease of repair
If the jet pipe assembly is made removable with a locking mechanism, then debris cleanout becomes easy without disassembly, but the connection complexity and potential for leakage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is extracted as a separate, standardized component rather than being integrated into the jet pipe body. This allows the jet pipe itself to remain simple while the removable mounting base with locking arms provides the complex connection functionality. The complexity is isolated to the mounting interface, keeping the jet pipe design simple and reducing potential leakage points.
Data Source
AI summary
A flush assembly for a toilet fixture is provided. The flush assembly includes a flush valve, a vacuum breaker tube in fluid communication with the flush valve, a foreign object strainer in fluid communication with the vacuum breaker tube, and an outlet pipe in fluid communication with the foreign object strainer. The flush assembly is used with a toilet fixture including an inlet pipe, a toilet bowl in fluid communication with the inlet pipe, an outlet pipe in fluid communication with the toilet bowl, a jet pipe in fluid communication with the inlet pipe and the outlet pipe, and a removable jet pipe assembly that connects the jet pipe to the outlet pipe. A foreign object strainer may be positioned in-line with the inlet pipe.