Bathroom hygiene device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bathrooms, especially public ones, face hygiene issues due to splattering urine which leads to untidiness, unhygiene, and increased janitorial costs, as well as the risk of disease transmission.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus featuring a roll of absorbent material, mechanized rollers, a middle planar element, and a splatter guard that prevents urine splatter by using sensors to manage absorbent material placement and support users, along with a tray and footrests to capture and contain urine effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional toilets and urinals are used without additional hygiene devices, then the bathroom structure remains simple and cost-effective, but urine splatters onto the floor and users, creating hygiene problems and increasing cleaning costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary absorbent material positioned between the urinal/toilet and the floor/users. This material acts as a mediator that intercepts and absorbs urine before it can splatter onto the floor or users, thereby reducing harmful splatter effects without fundamentally changing the toilet or urinal structure itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs disposable absorbent materials that are inexpensive and can be easily replaced. These short-living objects are positioned to catch urine splatter, and when saturated, they are discarded and replaced with fresh ones. This approach effectively manages urine splatter without requiring complex, expensive, or difficult-to-maintain systems.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If absorbent material is manually placed on the floor to catch urine, then urine absorption is achieved, but the bathroom requires frequent manual intervention and increases labor costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the bathroom system automatically monitors and replenishes absorbent material. Sensors detect when absorbent material becomes saturated with urine, and the system automatically dispenses fresh material without requiring manual intervention. This eliminates the time loss associated with frequent manual material replacement while continuously managing urine accumulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms through sensors that monitor the saturation level of absorbent material. This feedback information is used by the control system to determine when replenishment is needed, enabling timely automatic replacement of absorbent material and preventing urine accumulation on the floor without constant manual checking.
3Ease of operation
If a comprehensive automated system with sensors and multiple rollers is implemented, then absorbent material placement is automated and hygiene is improved, but the device complexity and initial cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs components with multiple functions to reduce overall system complexity. For example, the rollers serve both to dispense absorbent material and to guide its placement, while the middle planar element both supports the absorbent material and provides a barrier to prevent splatter. This multi-functionality approach achieves automated material management without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the hygiene system into separate functional modules: a splatter guard component, an absorbent material dispensing component, and a sensing/control component. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently and simplifies installation and maintenance, reducing the practical complexity despite the comprehensive functionality provided.
4Ease of operation
If the middle planar element is designed to support user weight, then user comfort and safety are improved, but the structural requirements and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by designing the middle planar element to provide support only where needed - directly under where users stand during urination. The element is reinforced locally at the load-bearing position while remaining lighter and simpler in other areas. This approach provides necessary user support capability without requiring the entire structure to be uniformly strong, thereby reducing overall structural 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
Reduces urine accumulation on bathroom floors, decreases janitorial costs, and minimizes the risk of disease transmission by effectively containing and absorbing urine splashes, enhancing hygiene and user safety.
Implementation Method 1
a roll of absorbent material configured for absorbing liquid falling from the person urinating and the urinal or toilet
Implementation Method 2
a sensor for sensing proximity of said individual
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for reducing or eliminating splattering of fluid at a urinal or toilet is disclosed. The apparatus includes a tray adjacent to the urinal or toilet, foot rests on either side of the tray, a splatter guard comprising an enclosure located on top of the tray, wherein an open end of the splatter guard faces the urinal or toilet, and a closed end of the splatter guard faces the individual, and wherein the splatter guard prevents splattering of liquid falling from the urinal or toilet, a disposable and absorbent pad configured for placement in the tray such that the pad absorbs liquid falling from the urinal or toilet and, a disposable and water repellant cover configured for placement over and on top of the splatter guard.