Sanitary System Passive Level Control Siphon Drainage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sanitary systems that collect liquid in a basin and supply it to a cistern, such as those in toilet systems, often have complex and error-prone components with movable elements, leading to increased maintenance and water consumption.

Innovation Solution

A sanitary system design that eliminates movable elements by using a passive level control system, where the liquid supply from the collection basin to the cistern is managed without user-operated valves, and the drainage is handled through a siphonized connection that regulates fluid levels automatically.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If control components with movable elements are used to manage liquid supply and drainage, then the system can actively control fluid flow, but the system becomes more complex and maintenance-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactive control of fluid flowVSAvoidnumber of control components
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes control components with movable elements from the sanitary system. The drainage device is designed without any movable parts, extracting the problematic component entirely from the system while still achieving fluid flow management through passive level control and siphonized connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses passive level control and siphonized connections that automatically regulate fluid flow without requiring external control components. The drainage device self-regulates based on liquid level, eliminating the need for valves, pumps, or other active control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If control components with movable elements are installed in the sanitary system, then fluid flow can be regulated, but the reliability of the system decreases due to error-prone components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid flow regulationVSAvoidsystem reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates control components with movable elements from the sanitary system. The drainage device is designed without any movable parts, extracting the problematic component entirely from the system while still achieving fluid flow management through passive level control and siphonized connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical control systems with passive hydraulic principles. Instead of using valves, pumps, or other mechanical control components with movable parts, the system relies on passive level control and siphonized connections that automatically regulate fluid flow based on liquid level and pressure differential.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If a passive level control system is used without movable elements, then the system reliability improves and maintenance is reduced, but the device complexity increases due to specialized pipe connections

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoidspecialized pipe connections
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drainage device serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both the outlet for the cistern and the inlet for the collecting basin, and the siphonized connection performs both drainage and level control functions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the drainage function and level control function into a single integrated passive system. The siphonized connection merges the outlet of the cistern with the inlet of the collecting basin, eliminating the need for separate control valves and drainage pipes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Use of energy by moving object

If liquid is supplied from collecting basin to cistern without pumps or active control, then energy consumption is reduced, but the liquid supply efficiency may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidliquid supply efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses hydraulic principles to enable passive liquid supply from the collecting basin to the cistern. The siphonized connection and passive level control system utilize pressure differential and gravity to move liquid without requiring pumps or other active mechanical devices, achieving both energy efficiency and adequate supply efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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 reduces water consumption by optimizing fluid management and eliminates the need for complex, error-prone components, resulting in a more efficient, maintenance-friendly sanitary system.

Implementation Method 1

the drainage is handled through a siphonized connection that regulates fluid levels automatically

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSiphon effect: Syphon

Data Source

PatentEP4036326B1Sanitary system and method for its assembly and operation
Publication Date: 2025.04.30 HERTIG SANITAER AG
  • EP4036326B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2b
  • EP4036326B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP4036326B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

The invention relates to sanitary installations and concerns a sanitary system, a method for manufacturing or installing a sanitary system, and a method for operating a sanitary system. The sanitary system comprises a first device 60 with a collection basin 3, a second device 50 with a cistern 1 and a connection point 4 for a drain line. At least the second device 50 is a sanitary installation. The sanitary system further comprises an inlet line 21 for supplying liquid collected in the collection basin 3 to the cistern 1 and a drain device 6, wherein the drain device has no movable element and defines a liquid level 240.The drainage device is designed to drain liquid located in the sanitary system via a second connection point 5, which is different from connection point 4 of the second device 50, as soon as a liquid level in the cistern 1 reaches the liquid level 240 defined by the drainage device.