Toilet Bolt Cap Leak Sensor Using a Wick-Guided Detection Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing leak detectors for toilet drain pipe connections are prone to false positive and false negative signals, and are often exposed to mechanical contact when attached to the toilet base, making them inefficient and potentially damaged.
Innovation Solution
A leak detector system integrated with a toilet bolt cap, featuring a wick material barrier and projection that channels liquid to a liquid sensor housed within the cap, minimizing mechanical contact and enhancing detection accuracy by using a wick material barrier and projection that directs liquid to an absorbent napkin and diffusible dye substrate for visual indication of leaks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the liquid sensor is extended outside the toilet base for leak detection, then the leak detection capability is improved, but the liquid sensor is exposed to mechanical contact and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The wick material acts as an intermediary between the hidden leak source and the liquid sensor. It conducts liquid from the concealed area under the toilet base to the sensor, allowing the sensor to remain protected inside the bolt cap while still detecting leaks effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid sensor is nested inside the toilet bolt cap structure, which is itself part of the toilet assembly. This nested arrangement allows the sensor to be protected within the existing structure while still performing its detection function through the wick material interface.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the liquid sensor is placed inside the toilet base, then mechanical contact is minimized, but leak detection accuracy decreases due to false positive and false negative signals
Solution Approach 1:
The wick material serves as a selective intermediary that transports only leak liquid from the concealed area to the sensor, while blocking out other liquids like cleaning solutions. This improves measurement precision by ensuring the sensor only detects relevant leak conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The wick material is strategically positioned at specific locations where leak liquid would accumulate, creating a localized detection zone. This ensures the sensor receives liquid only from the critical leak area, improving detection accuracy while maintaining sensor protection.
3Ease of operation
If the liquid sensor is exposed to cleaning liquids and washings, then cleaning access is improved, but false positive signals increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wick material acts as a selective conductor that allows leak liquid to reach the sensor while blocking cleaning liquids and washings. This intermediary function maintains measurement precision by preventing false positive signals from cleaning operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing function is extracted from direct exposure to the cleaning environment. The sensor is removed from the path of cleaning liquids, with only the necessary leak detection function remaining active through the wick material interface.
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 system effectively channels leaked liquid to the sensor, reducing false readings and minimizing mechanical contact, providing a robust and accurate leak detection solution for toilet drain pipe connections.
Implementation Method 1
a wick material barrier coupled to the base between the aperture and the outer perimeter in a continuous or substantially continuous strip around the aperture; a wick material projection extending from the wick material barrier
Implementation Method 2
directs liquid to an absorbent napkin and diffusible dye substrate for visual indication of leaks
Data Source
AI summary
A toilet bolt cap liquid sensor including an outer shell defining an interior cavity sized to receive a portion of a toilet bolt and house a liquid sensor; the liquid sensor including an exposed surface to the interior cavity. The liquid sensor can be used in a leak detector system for a toilet comprising: a flat base sheet bound by an outer perimeter an interior aperture; a wick material barrier coupled to the base between the aperture and the outer perimeter in a continuous or substantially continuous strip around the aperture; a wick material projection extending from the wick material barrier; and a toilet bolt cap including an outer shell defining an interior cavity for receiving an end of a toilet bolt, the toilet bolt cap housing the liquid sensor the liquid sensor including an exposed surface to the interior cavity for contact in fluid communication with the wick material projection.