Sanitation Fixture Airlock Prevention and Blockage Removal System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Airlocks in sanitation fixtures, particularly in drainage systems, cause constricted water flow, leading to sewage backups, potential pipe damage, and noisy drainage lines. Existing methods for clearing airlocks can be damaging if performed incorrectly and often result in leakage and bad odors.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a cleaning head with external and internal blades, a rotating tube, and a bypass configuration, which allows for manual rotation to break up blockages in the trap cup and drain tube, and an air release vent and tube system to release trapped air and prevent airlocks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual methods are used to clear airlocks, then airlocks can be removed, but the process can be damaging if performed incorrectly and can lead to leakage and bad odors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveairlock clearing effectivenessVSAvoiddamage, leakage, and bad odors

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the airlock clearing function into separate components: a cleaning head with blades for mechanical breakdown, a rotating tube for agitation, and a bypass system for controlled water flow. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function without causing damage to the overall system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The trap cup serves as an intermediary chamber that contains the cleaning mechanisms and isolates them from the main drainage system. This allows aggressive cleaning actions to be performed in a controlled environment, preventing damage to pipes and avoiding leakage and odors that would occur with direct manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the trap is opened to remove accumulated material, then blockage can be cleared, but the trap must be disassembled and reassembled

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial removal accessibilityVSAvoidtrap disassembly and reassembly

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service cleaning through the cleaning head that can be operated from the top of the trap cup. The rotating blades and bypass mechanism allow users to clear blockages and accumulated material without disassembling the trap, making the system serviceable while maintaining its sealed structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If downstream access ports are added for relief of blockages, then accessibility is improved, but the system becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblockage relief accessibilityVSAvoidnumber of access ports

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning head with rotating blades serves multiple functions: it clears blockages, breaks up accumulated material, agitates water flow to prevent future blockages, and works with the bypass system to release airlocks. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate access ports for different maintenance tasks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250137243A1System for treating and preventing blockage and/or airlocks in sanitation fixtures

Publication Date: 2025.05.01 AMZALLAG AVRAHAM

AI summary

A system and method for preventing and treating blockage and/or airlock of a sanitation fixture. The system and method may include a cleaning head that is moved manually to break up a blockage in a trap and/or a drain tube. The system and method may include a venting air from an airlock from a vent in a siphon above the bottom of a connection between the siphon and a drain pipe to the drain tube above the vent.