Under-Sink Grease Trap with Segmented Chamber for Pipe Clog Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional grease traps are too large for placement under sinks and require infrequent cleaning, leading to clogged pipes and foul odors due to the accumulation of grease and food waste in plumbing systems.

Innovation Solution

A miniature wastewater filtration system with a housing that includes a chamber divided by a wall to separate grease from wastewater, featuring a grease outlet above the fluid outlet, a valve for configuration between pre-filtering and direct flow, and removable containers for easy grease and waste disposal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If conventional grease traps are used, then grease and garbage can be trapped, but they are too large to be placed under a sink

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesize of grease trapVSAvoidplacement convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The grease trap is divided into multiple functional chambers within a compact housing: a first chamber for grease separation, a second chamber for further filtration, and integrated garbage trap sections. This segmentation allows the device to fit under sinks while maintaining effective grease trapping functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If conventional grease traps are used, then grease can be trapped, but they require infrequent cleaning leading to clogged pipes and backups

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of pipe clogsVSAvoidcleaning frequency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The device performs preliminary grease and garbage trapping at the source (under the sink) before waste enters the main plumbing system. By capturing grease early in the first chamber and solid garbage in designated sections, it prevents accumulation that would lead to pipe clogs and backups, requiring less frequent but more manageable maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The multi-chamber design acts as an intermediary between the sink and the main plumbing system. The first chamber separates grease from water, the second chamber provides additional filtration, and garbage traps capture solid waste, collectively preventing contaminants from reaching and clogging downstream pipes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-generated harmful factors

If conventional grease traps are used, then grease can be trapped, but they cause foul odors due to accumulation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefoul odorsVSAvoidgrease accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The device extracts and removes grease and garbage from the wastewater stream through multiple mechanisms: grease floats to the first chamber where it is trapped, solid garbage is captured in designated trap sections, and filtered water proceeds to the second chamber. This continuous extraction prevents the accumulation that causes foul odors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The device converts the harmful accumulation of grease and garbage into a beneficial pre-filtration process. By capturing these contaminants in controlled chambers under the sink, it prevents them from causing odors and pipe damage downstream, turning a potential problem into an effective waste management solution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 pre-filters grease and solid waste from wastewater before it enters the plumbing system, reducing maintenance and minimizing backups and odors by allowing for regular collection and disposal of trapped materials.

Implementation Method 1

A wall is disposed in the housing and dividing the chamber into a first chamber and a second chamber. The wall is configured to direct a fluid that flows into the first chamber through the fluid inlet toward the grease outlet.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

The grease outlet is defined in a plane at or above a plane of the fluid outlet, enabling grease to exit at a higher level than fluid waste, utilizing the density difference between grease and water for separation.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDensity separation: Density Gradient

Implementation Method 3

The baffle is configured to control a rate of flow of the fluid that flows into the housing and is configured to slow the rate of flow of the fluid to allow grease mixed in the fluid to separate from the fluid.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitational settling: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS11524250B1Fluid waste filtration system with grease and garbage traps

Publication Date: 2022.12.13 NOUTSIS PHOTIOS

AI summary

A fluid waste filtration system includes a housing configured to be coupled between and in fluid communication with a sink and a primary grease trap. The housing defines a chamber and includes a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and a grease outlet each in fluid communication with the chamber. The grease outlet is defined in a plane at or above a plane of the fluid outlet. A wall is disposed in the housing and divides the chamber into a first chamber and a second chamber. The wall is configured to direct a fluid that flows into the first chamber through the fluid inlet toward the grease outlet.