RFID Sewer Cleanout Cap With Window Plug to Minimize Spillage

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Cleanout caps for sewer systems require manual removal for maintenance assessment, leading to inefficiency and potential sewage spillage, with maintenance history often unavailable.

Innovation Solution

A smart sewer cleanout cap equipped with a wireless identification tag, such as RFID or NFC, that provides real-time maintenance data and allows secure, watertight sealing, enabling remote assessment and reducing spillage through a clamp assembly and transparent window plug.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If manual removal of cleanout cap is performed to assess maintenance needs, then maintenance history information can be obtained, but the process is tedious and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintenance history availabilityVSAvoidtime for maintenance assessment

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical action of manually removing the cleanout cap with an electronic information retrieval system. An RFID tag embedded in the cap stores maintenance history, which can be read wirelessly by a scanner, eliminating the need for physical cap removal and providing instant access to maintenance information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a digital copy of the maintenance history information and stores it on an RFID tag attached to the cleanout cap. This digital replica allows rapid retrieval of maintenance data without requiring physical inspection or removal of the cap, significantly reducing assessment time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If cleanout cap is removed to check sewer drainage, then drainage condition can be assessed, but raw sewage can spill on the ground creating environmental issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesewer drainage visibilityVSAvoidsewage spillage

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical action of removing the cap for visual inspection with an electronic information system. Maintenance history and drainage status are stored on an RFID tag and can be retrieved wirelessly, allowing assessment of sewer conditions without opening the system and risking sewage spillage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an RFID tag as an intermediary that carries information about the sewer drainage status. Instead of directly observing the drainage by removing the cap, the RFID tag mediates the information transfer, allowing indirect assessment without environmental contamination risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If secure sealing is implemented to prevent sewage spillage, then environmental safety is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesewage spillage preventionVSAvoidcleanout cap structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical sealing mechanisms with an electronic information system. By storing maintenance history and drainage status on an RFID tag, the system eliminates the need for frequent cap removal and reinstallation, reducing the demand for complex sealing mechanisms while still preventing spillage during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Enhances maintenance efficiency by providing real-time data access and minimizing sewage spillage, ensuring environmental safety and reducing manual intervention.

Implementation Method 1

at least one wireless identification tag disposed on at least one of the body portion, the window plug, or a site glass of the window plug, the wireless identification tag configured to transmit a return signal when energized

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRFID (Radio Frequency Identification): Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

the at least one wireless identification tag can include a radio frequency identification tag, a near field communication tag, or a combination of a radio frequency identification tag and a near field communication tag

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNFC (Near Field Communication): Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS20260009216A1Sewer cleanout cap

Publication Date: 2026.01.08 BGA TECHNOLOGY LLC

AI summary

A sewer cleanout cap includes: a body portion configured to be disposed on a sewer drain cleanout; a window plug removably coupled to the body portion, the window plug configured to enable a user to check sewer drainage; at least one wireless identification tag disposed on at least one of the body portion, the window plug, or a site glass of the window plug, the at least one wireless identification tag configured to transmit a return signal when energized; and at least one clamp assembly coupled to the body portion and configured to releasably secure the body portion to the sewer drain cleanout.