Toilet Device with Bellows Air Diffusion and Indicator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing toilet air and water treatment systems fail to provide effective continuous air freshening and water treatment, with air-treatment concentrates not effectively diffusing into ambient bathroom air and rim-hanger assemblies being ineffective and unsightly.
Innovation Solution
A multi-function toilet device with a water treatment part and an air moving part inside the toilet tank, featuring a bellows that displaces air through an air treatment part, and an indicator for replacing components, ensuring effective diffusion of air and water treatment concentrates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If air-treatment concentrate is placed inside the toilet tank, then it can treat the ambient air, but it does not have an effective exit point to enter the ambient air and diffuse effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the air treatment system into separate functional components: the air-treatment concentrate container, the bellows mechanism, and the exit aperture. This segmentation allows the concentrate to be stored inside the tank while providing a dedicated pathway for effective air diffusion outside the tank.
Solution Approach 2:
The bellows acts as an intermediary mechanism between the air-treatment concentrate inside the tank and the ambient air outside. It captures air movements from toilet operations and uses them to actively push the concentrate through the exit aperture, bridging the gap between storage and diffusion locations.
2Productivity
If rim-hanger assembly is used to treat flush water, then it treats water during flush cycle, but it is ineffective and becomes germ laden after four to six weeks of continuous use
Solution Approach 1:
The water-treatment concentrate is positioned to be in continuous contact with the flush water throughout the entire flush cycle, ensuring uninterrupted sanitization action. This continuous exposure allows the concentrate to effectively treat the water and maintain sanitization over extended periods without becoming germ-laden.
3Reliability
If tank-hanger assembly is used to pretreat flush water, then it provides continuous contact with flush water, but it requires complex active pumping or siphoning mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses the natural kinetic energy and water flow from the toilet's own flush cycle to move and disperse the water-treatment concentrate. The flush water itself serves as the driving force, eliminating the need for external pumps, motors, or complex siphoning mechanisms while maintaining consistent treatment.
4Productivity
If fan assists or heating elements are added to increase diffusion, then air-treatment concentrate diffusion is improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bellows mechanism harnesses the natural air movements and pressure changes that occur during normal toilet operations (flushing, tank filling) to drive the air-treatment concentrate diffusion. The toilet's own operational cycles provide the energy needed, eliminating the need for separate fans, heaters, or external power sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The device leverages the periodic air movements that naturally occur during toilet flush cycles to periodically expel bursts of air-treatment concentrate into the ambient air. This periodic action, synchronized with toilet usage, provides effective continuous air treatment without requiring continuous energy input.
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 provides continuous and effective air and water treatment, enhancing ambient air freshness and toilet hygiene, with indicators ensuring timely replacement of components.
Implementation Method 1
a bellows formed from an interior of the air moving part, wherein air displaced from the bellows moves through the air treatment part
Implementation Method 2
Assemblies were also used to diffuse an air-treatment concentrate capable of otherwise treating ambient air
Implementation Method 3
Heating elements were also included in some prior art assemblies to increase the temperature of the air-treatment concentrate to aid in volatilization of the concentrate
Implementation Method 4
The water-treatment concentrate then passively dispersed in the tank water during the quiescent period between toilet flushes
Data Source
AI summary
Described is a multi-function device for attachment to the tank of a toilet fixture. The multi-function device provides a diffusible air-treatment concentrate for deodorizing or otherwise treating the ambient air surrounding the toilet. At the same time, the multi-function device provides a water-soluble water-treatment concentrate for treating the flush water stored in the toilet tank. The multi-function device has an indicator to advise the consumer when replacement of user serviceable parts, such as the water treatment concentrate and the air treatment concentrate, is needed. The multi-function device has a bellows with a varying cross-sectional area to provide, during a flush cycle, a variable flow of air over the air treatment concentrate and into the air.