Temperature-Controlled Urinal Module with Ice Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing urinal systems fail to prevent the vaporization of urine odors effectively, leading to unpleasant smells, as they primarily focus on odor trapping or neutralization after vaporization has occurred, rather than preventing it from happening in the first place.
Innovation Solution
A urinal module with a built-in temperature control system using a closed cooling circuit and electronic temperature control to maintain a temperature range that prevents urine vaporization, employing a condensing unit and evaporator to form a protective ice layer on the contact surface, thereby eliminating odor perception.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If temperature control is applied to prevent urine vaporization, then odor elimination is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter of the urinal surface to prevent urine vaporization. By maintaining the surface temperature below the vaporization point of urine, the system eliminates odors without requiring chemical deodorants, thus resolving the contradiction between odor elimination and energy consumption through physical parameter control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transition principles by controlling the temperature to prevent the liquid urine from vaporizing into gas. The cooling system maintains the urine in liquid state on the urinal surface, preventing the phase change that would produce odorous vapors, thereby eliminating the need for additional energy-consuming deodorization processes
2Object-affected harmful factors
If chemical deodorants are used to neutralize odors, then odor elimination is improved, but environmental pollution increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical deodorization systems with a thermal control system. Instead of using chemical products to neutralize odors, the system uses temperature control to prevent vaporization, substituting a mechanical/thermal process for a chemical one, thereby eliminating chemical pollution while maintaining odor elimination effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the naturally occurring temperature of urine into a beneficial control parameter. By utilizing the inherent thermal properties of urine and controlling its temperature through the cooling system, the system transforms a potential harm (vaporization) into a benefit (odor prevention) without introducing external chemical substances
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
This solution effectively eliminates urine odors without chemical products, reduces water consumption, and decreases cleaning frequency, resulting in an eco-friendly and cost-effective solution for maintaining odor-free environments.
Implementation Method 1
by using a closed cooling circuit by direct expansion comprising a condensing unit and an electronic temperature control system
Implementation Method 2
prevents the vaporization of the urine when making contact with the inner wall of the urinal
Implementation Method 3
the condensation of the water vapor contained in the ambient humidity
Implementation Method 4
form a protective ice layer on the contact surface
Data Source
AI summary
A urinal module for installation in public toilets or private bathrooms, with the purpose of avoiding or reducing bad odors through the cooling of the contact surface of the urinal, where it impacts with the urine by the use of a cooling closed-circuit by direct expansion that includes a condensing unit and an electronic system of temperature control that are located in an external cabinet, separated from the urinal module. A centrally arranged water reservoir feeds the urinal module, each of which comprises a cooling streamer that leaves the condenser, enters through the back of the urinal closest to the cabinet and makes a journey through the inner back of the urinal to the point of contact with the lower reservoir of the same, resuming to the same point of entry of the urinal, from where it leaves, containing heated gas and returns to the compressor to achieve the closed-loop cooling effect. The temperature control of the urinal manages to form a thin ice protective layer, which will prevent the urine from vaporizing and, therefore, can be perceived by the sense of smell.