Siphon With Separate Odor Trap Chambers And Adjustable Depth

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing siphons for connecting washing devices like tumble dryers and washing machines face issues with low or fluctuating water flow rates, requiring frequent cleaning and increased installation costs due to fixed dimensions and additional components like double connections.

Innovation Solution

A siphon design with separate odor trap chambers and a building protection attachment that can be cut to length, allowing for adjustable installation depth and eliminating the need for additional connections, featuring a cover plate for aesthetic finish and easy maintenance, and sealing balls to prevent backflow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a double connection is used to connect multiple washing devices to the siphon, then multiple devices can be connected, but additional components and installation costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to connect multiple washing devicesVSAvoidnumber of additional components
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple inlet connections directly into the siphon housing, eliminating the need for a separate double connection component. The siphon housing integrates multiple inlet openings that directly communicate with the siphon chamber, allowing multiple washing devices to be connected without additional intermediate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The siphon housing is designed with multiple inlet connections that can accommodate different washing devices simultaneously. Each inlet connection serves as a universal access point for various devices, allowing the single siphon unit to handle multiple device connections without requiring device-specific adapters or additional components.

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

2Ease of manufacture

If the housing box is fixed in dimensions for wall installation, then installation structure is simplified, but installation depth cannot be adjusted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixed housing dimensionsVSAvoidadjustability of installation depth
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The building protection attachment is designed with a variable length feature, allowing it to be cut to different lengths depending on the installation depth requirements. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the same siphon unit to be installed at various depths in the wall without requiring different housing dimensions, combining manufacturing simplicity with installation flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Shape

If the siphon is installed too deeply in the wall, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but plaster penetrates into the housing box

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic finishVSAvoidprotection against plaster penetration
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The building protection attachment with variable length allows precise adjustment of the siphon installation depth. By cutting the attachment to the appropriate length, the siphon can be positioned at the optimal depth that maintains aesthetic appearance while preventing plaster penetration into the housing box, thus protecting against the harmful effect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of repair

If separate odor trap chambers are used, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning accessibilityVSAvoidnumber of separate chambers
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The siphon is divided into separate functional chambers including distinct odor trap chambers and a siphon chamber. Each chamber is separated by partitions but maintains liquid-tight connections. This segmentation allows dirt and debris to be contained in specific chambers, making cleaning more efficient as each chamber can be accessed and cleaned independently without disassembling the entire device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

While the chambers are separate, they are integrated into a single siphon housing with coordinated inlet and outlet connections. The separate odor trap chambers communicate with the main siphon chamber through controlled openings, combining the benefits of separate cleaning access with the functional integrity of a unified siphon system.

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 reduces the need for frequent cleaning and additional components, allows for flexible installation, and ensures a sealed and efficient connection, thereby reducing installation costs and improving the siphon's functionality and aesthetic integration.

Implementation Method 1

Each chamber (4) has a curved channel (4K) arranged essentially parallel to a cover (6H) of the insert housing and having a U-shaped section (15), in which case the channels (4K) fill with water to thereby form an odor trap

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectU-shaped channel water seal: Syphon

Implementation Method 2

In order to be able to variably adapt the siphon (10) according to the invention to the installation depth in the wall, it advantageously has a building protection attachment (5) which can be cut to length

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical barrier protection: Physical Containment

Implementation Method 3

a building protection attachment (5) which can be cut to length and which can be attached or removed by means of a snap fastening (5A) on the front side of the siphon housing (1)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSnap fastening mechanical connection: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentEP3168377B1Siphon with separate compartments
Publication Date: 2018.09.05 HL HUTTERER & LECHNER GMBH
  • EP3168377B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2B
  • EP3168377B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~4C
  • EP3168377B1 patent drawingFigure 5A~6B

AI summary

Siphon (10, 20, 30) comprising a siphon housing (1), an outlet nozzle (2) formed on a housing wall (1U), preferably a lower wall, and a removable odor trap insert (6) that can be inserted into the interior of the siphon housing (1). The odor trap insert (6) has an insert housing with at least two inlet nozzles (3) and a channel outlet opening (6A) that can be connected in a sealing manner to an outlet nozzle inlet opening (2E) of the outlet nozzle (2). The odor trap insert (6) further comprises separate chambers (4), each chamber (4) having a liquid-tight curved channel (4K), in particular a channel with at least one U-shaped section (15) that is arranged substantially parallel to a cover (6H) of the insert housing and opens into the channel outlet opening (6A) via a common channel section (9).An insert housing body (6V) has at least two inlet nozzles (3) which each open separately from the other inlet nozzle(s) (3) at an inlet nozzle outlet (3A) into a channel inlet opening (6E) of the curved channel (4K).