Toilet Splash Guard with Segmented Deflection Plate
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional urine splash guards for toilets are ineffective in directing urine streams efficiently, often deflecting them improperly or allowing partial passage, and are difficult to replace without contact, leading to unsanitary conditions.
Innovation Solution
A urine splatter suppression device with a base that secures to the toilet rim, an angled deflection plate, and optional fingers that dissipate the urine stream, along with a transfer element for sanitary replacement without direct contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional splash guards deflect the urine stream, then splatter is reduced, but the stream is deflected in another direction causing improper drainage
Solution Approach 1:
The deflection plate is segmented into multiple fingers that extend upward from its surface. These fingers divide the urine stream into multiple smaller streams as they pass through, effectively dissipating the stream's energy and preventing splatter while maintaining proper drainage direction through the toilet bowl.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflection plate has a non-uniform structure with fingers of varying lengths and spacing. The lower surface of the deflection plate is angled at between 30-60 degrees relative to the water level, creating localized flow patterns that guide the urine stream downward into the bowl water while the fingers provide additional dispersion to prevent splatter.
2Productivity
If conventional guards allow partial passage through fabric, then some urine passes through, but the fabric becomes contaminated and difficult to clean
Solution Approach 1:
The deflection plate is constructed as a disposable component that can be easily replaced. The plate itself and its fingers are designed to be discarded after a single use, eliminating the need to clean and sanitize the guard structure. This resolves the contamination issue by making the guard a single-use item rather than a reusable one that accumulates odors.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional guards are placed centrally in the toilet bowl, then splatter is reduced, but user contact with the guard increases
Solution Approach 1:
The deflection plate is positioned asymmetrically on the side rim of the toilet rather than centrally in the bowl. This side-mounted asymmetric placement reduces the likelihood of user contact while still effectively intercepting the urine stream before it can splatter into the bowl, solving both the splatter reduction and user contact problems simultaneously.
4Ease of repair
If conventional guards require manual removal, then replacement is possible, but sanitary contact with contaminated guard is required
Solution Approach 1:
A transfer element is introduced as an intermediary mechanism between the user and the contaminated deflection plate. The transfer element allows the user to remove the old deflection plate and install the new one without direct hand contact with the contaminated surface, maintaining sanitary conditions during the replacement process.
5Object-affected harmful factors
If the deflection plate is angled steeply, then urine stream is deflected more effectively, but the plate may interfere with seated use
Solution Approach 1:
The deflection plate is angled at between 30-60 degrees, which provides sufficient deflection effectiveness without being excessively steep. This partial angle optimization allows the plate to intercept and redirect the urine stream properly while remaining low enough out of the way not to interfere with normal seated toilet use.
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
Effectively impairs splatter and allows for easy, sanitary replacement of the device, reducing the risk of contamination and improving hygiene.
Implementation Method 1
a stream of liquid impinging the deflection plate and/or fingers from above the toilet is dissipated to impair splatter and/or splash of the stream
Implementation Method 2
The base can include an adhesive layer that engages the rim
Data Source
AI summary
A urine splatter suppression device and related method are provided. The device can include a base that engages a rim of a toilet, an arm including a corresponding recess and/or projection that engages a base recess and/or a base projection so that the arm is removably supported by the base adjacent the rim, and a deflection plate is joined with the arm and angled between 60 degrees and 90 degrees inclusive relative to the arm and extending transversely inward toward the longitudinal axis of the toilet from the side rim of the toilet. Multiple fingers can extend upward from the deflection plate. The device can be configured so a stream of liquid impinging the plate and/or fingers from above the toilet is dissipated to impair splatter of the stream to an area outside the toilet. A related method of use also is provided.