Urinal Cartridge with Adjustable Orifice for Chemical Infusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hybrid flushing urinals face challenges with urine stagnation leading to solid precipitation and hard build-ups in the urinal trap, causing odor issues and potential blockages.
Innovation Solution
A cartridge system for urinals that regulates the flow of flushing water through an orifice, ensuring it rises to a predetermined level and drains at a controlled rate, while incorporating a chemical volume to combat build-ups and odors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If hybrid flushing urinals flush only with time or number of users to save water, then water consumption is reduced, but urine stagnation causes solid precipitation and hard build-up in the trap
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by dosing chemicals into the trap before complete stagnation occurs. The chemical dosing system releases acidic chemicals (such as citric acid) in advance to prevent solid precipitation and build-up formation, rather than attempting to remove established deposits. This proactive chemical treatment maintains trap cleanliness during extended periods between flushes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses chemical substances as intermediaries to combat the harmful effects of urine stagnation. Acidic chemicals (citric acid, hydrochloric acid, sulfamic acid, etc.) serve as mediators that chemically react with and dissolve urinary deposits, preventing hard build-up formation. These chemicals are delivered through a dosing system that releases them into the trap during or after the flush cycle.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If chemicals are dosed to fight build-up, then hard build-up and odors are prevented, but inconsistent flush volumes result in variable chemical dosing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms to monitor and adjust chemical dosing based on actual flush conditions. Flow sensors detect the volume and characteristics of each flush, and this information feeds back to the chemical dosing system to adjust the amount of chemical released. This ensures consistent chemical dosing regardless of variations in flush volume, maintaining effective build-up prevention while adapting to different operating conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic adjustment of chemical dosing parameters based on real-time flush conditions. The dosing system can vary chemical release rates, timing, and volumes dynamically in response to detected flush characteristics. This dynamic approach replaces fixed dosing schedules with adaptive control that maintains optimal chemical dosing across varying operational scenarios.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If traditional urinals flush with every use to prevent build-up, then hygiene is maintained, but water consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies continuity of useful action by implementing continuous or frequent chemical dosing into the trap throughout the hybrid flush cycle. Rather than relying solely on periodic high-volume flushes, the system continuously maintains a chemical presence in the trap that actively prevents build-up formation during the entire period between flushes. This continuous chemical protection allows extended intervals between water flushes without compromising hygiene.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the urinal system to serve itself through automated chemical dosing and hybrid flushing control. The system automatically monitors trap conditions, determines when flushing is needed based on time or usage counters, and dosing chemicals without requiring manual intervention. This self-service operation optimizes the balance between water consumption and build-up prevention by making decisions based on actual system state.
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 cartridge system effectively prevents build-ups and odors by ensuring consistent chemical dosing with each flush, regardless of varying flush volumes, thus maintaining urinal hygiene and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
the cartridge has an orifice formed therein to regulate a flow of flushing water in a bowl of the urinal in a controlled manner such that the flushing water rises to a predetermined level and drains at a predetermined rate
Implementation Method 2
when the urinal is flushed and the flushing water rises to the predetermined level within the bowl, the flushing water contacts the chemical volume and becomes chemically infused
Data Source
AI summary
A cartridge formed to fit in the drain of a urinal is presented. The cartridge has an orifice formed therein to regulate a flow of flushing water so that the flushing water rises to come in contact with a chemical volume, thereby becoming chemically infused. The orifice may be adjustable to determine a height to which the flushing water rises in the urinal bowl. The orifice comprises a screw adjustment system, an orifice occlusion system, or a shaft and cap system. A flushing water source having an adjustable orifice is also presented. The flushing water source orifice can be adjusted to determine a height to which flushing water rises in the urinal bowl when the urinal is flushed.