Sanitary Article Insert Dissolving Cleaning Agent Without Flow Disruption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sanitary article designs with transverse access openings for cleaning agent additives disrupt flow conditions in toilet bowls and urinals, particularly rimless toilet bowls, leading to overflow issues.

Innovation Solution

A sanitary article arrangement featuring a water-soluble cleaning element insert that is placed in a receptacle within the flushing water channel, allowing it to be dissolved by flowing water, eliminating the need for additional openings and reducing fluidic losses, with a design that minimizes flow disruptions and simplifies manufacturing and installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a transverse access opening is provided for inserting cleaning agent additive, then the cleaning agent can be added to the flushing stream, but the flow conditions in the rinsing water channel are unfavorably influenced leading to overflow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess opening for cleaning agent insertionVSAvoidflow conditions and overflow prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning agent insertion access is merged with the existing channel outlet opening. The insert is introduced through the channel outlet (or breakthrough) that already exists for water flow, eliminating the need for a separate transverse access opening. This integration maintains flow conditions while enabling cleaning agent addition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The channel outlet opening serves dual purposes: it functions as the water flow outlet and as the access opening for inserting the cleaning agent cartridge. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional openings that would disrupt flow conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If an additional opening is provided for cleaning agent insertion, then the cleaning agent can be added, but fluidic losses occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning agent addition capabilityVSAvoidfluidic losses

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning agent insertion function is combined with the existing channel outlet opening. By using the same opening for both water discharge and cleaning agent cartridge insertion, no additional openings are created, thereby eliminating fluidic losses associated with extra access points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If complex sealing is provided for side access openings, then the structure is more complete, but the manufacturing precision and simplicity are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing completenessVSAvoidsealing structure and manufacturing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The access opening for cleaning agent insertion is merged with the channel outlet opening. Since the channel outlet is an existing functional opening, no additional sealing structures are required. The insert is simply introduced through this opening, eliminating complex sealing requirements while maintaining structural completeness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Adaptability or versatility

If transverse access opening is used, then cleaning agent can be added, but manufacturing precision and flow parameter consistency are affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning agent additionVSAvoidflow parameter consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning agent insertion access is merged with the channel outlet opening. By utilizing the existing outlet opening rather than creating a separate transverse access, the channel's flow parameters remain consistent across all manufactured sanitary items, as no additional openings or modifications are required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution ensures effective cleaning agent distribution without overflowing, enhances flushing efficiency, and simplifies the sanitary article's structure by eliminating the need for complex side access sealing and manufacturing precision, resulting in consistent flow parameters across products.

Implementation Method 1

an insert (10) with a receptacle (11) for a water-soluble cleaning element (R), which can be dissolved by the rinsing water flowing through the insert (10)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDissolution: Solvation

Data Source

PatentEP3647504B1Sanitary item arrangement

Publication Date: 2022.08.24 GEBERIT INT AG

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AI summary

A sanitary article arrangement (1) comprises a sanitary article (2) with a receiving basin (3) having a side wall (4) defining the receiving basin (3), an upper rim (5), a drain arranged in the lower region (6) of the receiving basin (3) and a channel (7) for supplying rinsing water into the receiving basin (3), wherein the channel (7) with its channel outlet (8) opens into the receiving basin (3) via an opening (9) through the side wall (4) and has an insert (10) with a receptacle (11) in which a water-soluble cleaning element (R) is placed, which is soluble in the rinsing water flowing through the insert (10) and the insert (10) can be inserted into the channel (7) from the receiving basin (3) via the channel outlet (8) or the opening (9).