Removable Urinal Diaphragm Valve for Odour Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional one-way valves in low water usage urinals are inefficient when installed horizontally due to their length, require complex installation and dismantling, and use environmentally unfriendly oil-based sealants with significant material replacement needs.
Innovation Solution
A urinal fitting with a removable diaphragm, preferably a duckbill valve with creases or kinks for improved one-way performance, allows for easy removal and replacement without dismantling pipe work, and a modular urinal cartridge design with different connection methods for reduced material usage and environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional one-way valves are used to prevent backflow of odours, then odour prevention is improved, but the valve length increases requiring horizontal installation which reduces valve efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible diaphragm made of thin polymer film to create a one-way valve mechanism. The diaphragm can flex and deform to allow forward flow while preventing backflow, eliminating the need for long rigid valve bodies. This flexible membrane approach achieves effective odour prevention with minimal length, allowing vertical installation in confined spaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from traditional horizontal valve installation to vertical orientation by utilizing the diaphragm's flexibility. The diaphragm is positioned to deflect in response to pressure differentials, creating the one-way valve effect in the vertical dimension rather than requiring extended horizontal length. This dimensional reorientation resolves the contradiction between length requirements and installation constraints.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional one-way valves are used with sufficient sealing performance, then odour prevention is improved, but installation and removal require dismantling of concealed pipe work which increases time and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The valve system is segmented into modular components: the diaphragm can be independently removed and replaced without dismantling the housing or pipe work. The housing collar and clamp ring provide easy access points for diaphragm replacement, allowing maintenance personnel to service the valve by simply accessing the urinal outlet area rather than breaking into concealed installations.
Solution Approach 2:
The design enables easy self-service maintenance through tool-free or minimal-tool diaphragm replacement. The clamp ring and housing collar configuration allows the diaphragm to be accessed and replaced by the end user or maintenance staff without requiring professional plumbers to dismantle concealed pipe work, significantly improving ease of repair.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If oil-based sealant cartridges are used to create a liquid barrier, then odour prevention is improved, but environmental friendliness deteriorates and full cartridge replacement is required periodically increasing material waste
Solution Approach 1:
The invention eliminates the need for disposable oil-based sealant cartridges by using a reusable polymeric diaphragm. The diaphragm can be removed, cleaned, and reinstalled multiple times without degradation of performance. This replaces the single-use cartridge system with a durable component that can be serviced and reused, dramatically reducing material waste and improving environmental sustainability while maintaining effective odour prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the material parameter from consumable oil-based sealant to reusable polymeric material. This parameter change transforms the system from one requiring periodic full replacement to one allowing extended service life with simple cleaning maintenance, reducing material consumption and environmental impact while preserving the liquid barrier function for odour prevention.
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 enhances the efficiency and ease of maintenance of low water usage urinals by reducing the length of the diaphragm without performance loss, eliminating the need for complex installations, and allowing for partial cartridge replacement, thus reducing environmental impact and material consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a diaphragm removably locatable in the housing throughbore, the diaphragm adapted to permit the passage of liquid through the throughbore in one direction only from the inlet to the outlet
Implementation Method 2
the diaphragm includes at least one crease or kink. A crease or kink improves the one-way properties of the duckbill valve and as such incorporating a crease or kink can permit a reduction in the length of the diaphragm without a loss of performance
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for a urinal is described. The apparatus comprises a plate member adapted to form a seal with a urinal outlet, the plate member defining a throughbore permitting the passage of liquid, in use, from the urinal to a soil pipe and a diaphragm located in the plate member throughbore, the diaphragm adapted to permit the passage of liquid through the throughbore in one direction only from the urinal to the soil pipe.