Urinal Discharge Trap Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reducing the amount of flush water in urinals leads to a low substitution rate of pooled water in the discharge trap, resulting in high urine concentration and increased uric scale formation, and creates flow speed differentials that cause stagnation in the ascending pipe.
Innovation Solution
A urinal design with a discharge trap featuring a descending, horizontal, and ascending pipe configuration where the horizontal pipe's top portion forms a return flow path and includes a resistance portion at its bottom to reduce flow speed differentials, ensuring efficient water substitution and preventing stagnation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If the amount of flush water is reduced, then water consumption is decreased, but the pooled water substitution rate is reduced and urine concentration increases leading to uric scale formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the discharge trap, specifically the curvature radius of the horizontal pipe. By setting the curvature radius to 5mm or more (preferably 10mm or more), the flow speed differential between the upper and lower sides of the horizontal pipe is reduced, preventing stagnation and improving substitution rate even with reduced flush water amounts
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates more uniform flow conditions by using a gradual curve in the horizontal pipe rather than sharp bends. This equalizes the flow path lengths and resistance for water at different positions, reducing flow speed differentials and preventing stagnant zones where uric scale would form
2Quantity of substance
If the discharge trap is compactified to use small pooled water amount, then water seal formation is achieved with less water, but flow speed differential increases causing stagnation in ascending pipe
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the geometric parameters of the discharge trap to achieve compact dimensions while maintaining smooth flow. The horizontal pipe curvature radius is set to 5mm or more, and the trap length is controlled to 50mm or less, creating a compact design that prevents flow stagnation through optimized geometry rather than increased water volume
3Volume of moving object
If sharp bends are formed in discharge trap for compactification, then discharge trap size is reduced, but flow speed differential increases causing stagnation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces sharp bends with gradual curves in the horizontal pipe of the discharge trap. By using a curved path with a radius of 5mm or more, the water flow transitions smoothly around the bend, maintaining uniform flow speed and preventing the formation of stagnant zones while keeping the discharge trap compact
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 design enhances the substitution rate of pooled water in the discharge trap, reduces residual urine, and minimizes uric scale formation by smoothing flush water flow and eliminating speed differentials, even with reduced flush water amounts.
Implementation Method 1
a resistance portion for reducing the flow speed of flush water flowing in the vicinity of this bottom portion is formed at the bottom portion of the horizontal pipe
Implementation Method 2
a predetermined amount of flush water is constantly accumulated as pooled water at the bottom portion of the discharge trap; a water seal is formed by this pooled water
Implementation Method 3
the substitution rate at which pooled water comprising a high urine concentration liquid is replaced by newly inflowing flush water
Data Source
AI summary
A urinal capable of suppressing the flow speed differential between the flow speed of flush water flowing into the front side of an ascending pipe and the flow speed of flush water flowing into the back side thereof, and of suppressing the occurrence of stagnation in the flow of flush water, and of suppressing the occurrence of uric scale. The urinal having a discharge trap including a horizontal pipe; a top portion of horizontal pipe is formed by a return flow path-forming portion at the bottom end of the shared wall; and a resistance portion for slowing the flow speed of flush water flowing in the vicinity of this bottom portion is formed at the bottom portion of the horizontal pipe.