Training Toilet Seat Locking Flange for Secure Waste Container Retention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing child training toilets lack a secure attachment mechanism to prevent the waste container from being removed from the toilet base, leading to potential messes and instability during use.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates flanges with openings that receive anchoring members to securely attach the waste container to the toilet base, preventing removal by children while allowing easy release for cleaning, using a mechanism where anchoring members are nestled within openings and stopped by a stopper member for secure attachment and easy disengagement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a secure attachment mechanism is added to prevent waste container removal, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment securityVSAvoidmechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The anchoring member is nested within the opening of the flange, with the stopper member positioned inside the flange opening to retain the anchoring member. This nested configuration provides secure attachment while maintaining a compact and simple overall structure, avoiding the need for external complex fastening systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment mechanism is divided into distinct functional segments: the flange with opening, the anchoring member that passes through, and the stopper member that retains it. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function simply, contributing to overall reliability without requiring a complex integrated system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a secure attachment mechanism is added to prevent waste container removal, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment securityVSAvoidrelease ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment mechanism transitions from a static fixed connection to a dynamic reversible connection. The anchoring member can be easily inserted into and removed from the flange opening by simple lateral movement, allowing the system to switch between secured and released states without complex operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of requiring a complex locking action to secure the waste container, the design uses a simple pass-through anchoring member that is retained by an internal stopper. To release, one simply pulls the anchoring member out the other way, inverting the complexity from locking to unlocking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If a secure attachment mechanism is added to prevent waste container removal, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment securityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The anchoring member and stopper member are designed as simple, inexpensive components that can be easily manufactured from common materials. Rather than using expensive complex fastening systems, the invention employs simple plastic or metal pieces that provide sufficient security at low cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The flange, opening, and stopper member are designed to be integrated or easily assembled components, reducing the number of separate parts and assembly steps. This merging approach simplifies manufacturing processes and reduces overall production costs while maintaining attachment security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10172502B1Childing training toilet and method to use

Publication Date: 2019.01.08 HALL STACY

AI summary

A toilet training device having a flange extending from a cutout in the base assembly that includes an opening that engages an anchoring member located on the underside of a seat assembly and when engaged prevents a child from removing the removable seat assembly from the training toilet base.