Thermochromic Hydrodynamic Urine Splash Suppression Device
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lavatory accessories, particularly for toilets and urinals, fail to effectively prevent urine splashback and provide a sanitary, low-maintenance solution for male users, especially younger boys, due to the limitations of current splash guards and targets, which are often difficult to clean, costly, and not compatible with toilets.
Innovation Solution
A thermally actuated, hydrodynamically shaped urine splatter suppression device with a self-cleaning design that affixes to the bowl of a toilet or urinal, featuring a shape that diffuses urine streams and includes a backup tether for secure attachment, along with thermochromic materials for appearance changes to encourage accurate urination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If flat mats with bristles are used as splash guards, then urine splashback is reduced, but the device becomes hard to clean and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a hydrodynamically shaped three-dimensional target with curved surfaces instead of flat mats. The curved geometry allows urine streams to flow over and around the target smoothly, reducing splashback while eliminating the need for bristles, thereby making the device easy to clean and cost-effective
Solution Approach 2:
The invention removes the bristle component from traditional splash guards, retaining only the essential hydrodynamic shaping function. This extraction of unnecessary elements simplifies the structure, reduces cleaning requirements, and lowers manufacturing costs while maintaining splashback suppression effectiveness
2Measurement precision
If traditional targets are affixed to toilet receptacles, then urine stream focus is improved, but the targets do not provide visual feedback and are not engaging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates thermochromic materials into the target that change color or appearance when urine contacts the target. This visual feedback mechanism engages users, especially younger boys, by providing immediate visual confirmation that the urine stream has hit the target, thereby improving stream accuracy and user motivation
Solution Approach 2:
The thermochromic materials provide real-time visual feedback to users about the accuracy of their urine stream. This feedback loop motivates users to aim more accurately by showing immediate visual responses to their actions, thereby improving stream precision and user engagement simultaneously
3Reliability
If splash guards require manual cleaning, then maintenance is needed, but this creates more problems than it solves and increases complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the target to be self-cleaning through its hydrodynamic shape and positioning. The curved surface and strategic placement allow flushing water to automatically wash the target clean, eliminating the need for manual cleaning and reducing maintenance complexity while maintaining reliable splash containment effectiveness
4Ease of manufacture
If floating targets are used, then installation is simple, but they are in the direct path of falling excrement and cannot be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a backup tether system that is pre-configured to secure the target to the toilet bowl before use. This preliminary attachment action prevents the target from floating into the direct path of falling excrement, ensuring sanitation and maintainability while retaining installation simplicity through the easy-to-apply tether mechanism
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 device effectively reduces urine splashback, maintains sanitation, and encourages accurate urination through visual feedback, while being easy to install, maintain, and self-clean, minimizing contact with excrement and plumbing risks.
Implementation Method 1
The disclosed subject matter relates generally to lavatory accessories, and more particularly to an appearance changing anti-splash device for use with a toilet or urinal. The device effectively reduces urine splashback, maintains sanitation, and encourages accurate urination through visual feedback
Implementation Method 2
A principle object of the invention is to prevent urine splatter, this can be achieved by a hydrodynamically shaped three dimensional target which absorbs the impact from a stream of urine and allows it to diffuse around it
Data Source
AI summary
A urine splatter suppression device with appearance changing properties is provided. The device comprises a base that engages the bowl of a toilet or urinal, a hydrodynamic target with liquid impinging features and a security tether to prevent accidental flushing. The base can be in the form of a suction cup that engages the bowl of a toilet. The target may comprise a spheroidal shape to absorb and diffuse the impact from a urine stream; any subsequent splash back may be captured by anti-splash protrusions and apertures that comprise the surface. The target is made or coated with thermochromic materials and changes appearances when warm liquids such as urine contact it, and can change again, as well as self-cleanse, when cool water is flushed over it. The device's appearance-changing novelty will encourage males, especially young boys who are prone to distraction to urinate on target and keep lavatories sanitary.