Self-Cleaning Urinal Basin Overflow Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing public urinals lack effective self-cleaning solutions that can ensure frequent and thorough sanitization of both inner and outer surfaces, particularly in high-use settings like public washrooms, where hygiene is a critical concern.
Innovation Solution
A self-cleaning urinal design featuring a cup-shaped body with a first basin that contains cleaning fluid, which overflows to clean both the inner and outer surfaces, and a second basin to collect and reuse the cleaning fluid, allowing for automated and improved hygiene without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hinged cover is used to close the bowl in an airtight manner, then the interior cleaning effect is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements become exceptional and the self-cleaning time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the airtight sealing function from a separate hinged cover component and integrates it into the cup-shaped body structure itself. The cup-shaped body is designed with a closed bottom and open top, eliminating the need for additional sealing components while maintaining the airtight enclosure necessary for effective interior cleaning.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the bowl enclosure and sealing functions into a single integrated cup-shaped body structure. By combining these functions, the design eliminates the need for separate hinged covers and reduces manufacturing complexity while maintaining effective sealing for cleaning purposes.
2Reliability
If a hinged cover is used to form an airtight chamber, then the interior cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the self-cleaning time required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cup-shaped body is pre-configured with an integrated cleaning system that includes cleaning fluid delivery nozzles and overflow channels. This preliminary arrangement allows the cleaning action to begin immediately when fluid is introduced, eliminating the need for time-consuming airtight chamber formation while maintaining effective cleaning.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning fluid flows continuously through the cup-shaped body via overflow channels, ensuring uninterrupted cleaning action on the interior surfaces. This continuous flow eliminates the need for prolonged airtight sealing and reduces the overall self-cleaning time while maintaining effectiveness.
3Ease of operation
If cleaning fluid is sprayed under specific conditions, then the cleaning function is provided, but the inner and outer surfaces are not sufficiently cleaned
Solution Approach 1:
The cup-shaped body acts as an intermediary structure that channels cleaning fluid from the interior to the exterior surfaces. The overflow channels and side wall openings facilitate this intermediary flow, ensuring that cleaning fluid reaches both inner and outer surfaces for complete sanitization.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning fluid flow is extended from a single interior dimension to multiple dimensions by utilizing the cup-shaped body's walls as conduits. The overflow channels direct fluid along the inner surface, over the rim, and onto the outer surface, creating multi-dimensional cleaning coverage that addresses both interior and exterior sanitization requirements.
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 solution provides automated and enhanced sanitization of both inner and outer surfaces, ensuring improved hygiene and reducing the need for manual cleaning, making it suitable for frequent use in public washrooms.
Implementation Method 1
Said first basin is connected to an opening of a fluid supply duct adapted to convey a volume of cleaning fluid into said first basin so that when the cleaning fluid received in said first basin overflows, it cleans both said inner surface and said outer surface of the lower cup-shaped body
Implementation Method 2
Said at least one side wall at least partially delimits a gap interposed between said inner surface and outer surface, said gap forming at least a first basin adapted to contain a volume of fluid. Said first basin leads to both said inner surface and said outer surface by means of at least one discharge mouth
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 5
AI summary
A self-cleaning toilet (1) comprising at least one lower cup-shaped body (2) having substantially cup or bowl shape, said lower cup-shaped body (2) delimiting at least one emptying opening (3) adapted to be connected with a draining pipe of the self-cleaning toilet (1), and at least one filling opening (4), opposite to said emptying opening (3) and adapted to face a user of the self-cleaning toilet (1), said lower cup-shaped body (2) comprises at least one side wall (5) which delimits, with an upper edge thereof (7), at least one portion of said filling opening (4); said at least one side wall (5) delimits at least one gap (9) interposed between said inner surface (6) and outer surface (8), the gap forming, with said at least one side wall (5), at least a first basin (10) adapted to contain a volume of fluid; said first basin (10) leading to both said inner surface (6) and said outer surface (8); said first basin (10) being connected to a fluid supply duct (30) adapted to convey a volume of cleaning fluid (F, F') into said first basin (10) so that when the cleaning fluid (F, F') received in said first basin (10) overflows, it cleans both said inner surface (6) and said outer surface (8).