Vehicle Drain Odour Trap Using a Float Plug Without Water Seal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wastewater drainage systems, particularly those using siphons and elastically deformable sealing mechanisms, are technically complex, costly to produce and maintain, and can result in water spillage when vehicles tilt.

Innovation Solution

A hydraulic air backflow prevention system for road vehicles, comprising a float plug and cage mechanism that prevents air backflow without a water seal, allowing for simple production, installation, and maintenance, and includes a push-fit fitting for seamless drainage even when the vehicle tilts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If siphons or elastically deformable sealing mechanisms are used to prevent air backflow, then air backflow prevention is achieved, but device complexity and maintenance cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair backflow preventionVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the water seal component from the air backflow prevention system, replacing it with a float plug mechanism that operates without requiring a water trap. This eliminates the complexity associated with maintaining water seals while preserving the air backflow prevention function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the hydraulic water seal mechanism with a mechanical float plug system. The float plug rises and falls with water level changes to automatically open or close the outlet, substituting a complex hydraulic sealing system with a simpler mechanical buoyancy-based system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If water seal is used to prevent air backflow, then air backflow prevention is achieved, but water spillage occurs when vehicle tilts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair backflow preventionVSAvoidwater spillage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the water seal from the system entirely, extracting the harmful element that causes water spillage during vehicle tilting. The float plug mechanism provides air backflow prevention without requiring a water trap that could spill.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a simple float plug that can be easily replaced if needed, rather than a complex water seal system that requires careful maintenance to prevent spilling. The simplicity of the float plug makes it more reliable in mobile applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If complex hydraulic systems are used, then air backflow prevention is achieved, but production and maintenance costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair backflow preventionVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses inexpensive components - a simple float plug, cage, and guide rods - that can be manufactured at low cost and replaced easily if needed. This eliminates the need for expensive, complex hydraulic systems while maintaining air backflow prevention functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The float plug system is self-regulating and requires no external control or complex maintenance. The float automatically responds to water level changes, opening or closing the outlet without intervention, reducing both production and maintenance costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Productivity

If float plug is allowed to move freely in collection bowl, then drainage efficiency is improved, but noise from float striking walls increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrainage efficiencyVSAvoidnoise

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a cage with guide rods as an intermediary structure between the float plug and the collection bowl walls. This intermediary guides the float's movement, allowing it to respond efficiently to water level changes while preventing direct contact with the bowl walls that would cause noise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 system provides a cost-effective and reliable solution to prevent air backflow without a water seal, ensuring efficient drainage and reducing maintenance complexity and water spillage during vehicle tilting.

Implementation Method 1

the float stopper being movable inside the cage according to a water level in the collection bowl

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentEP4703524A1Vehicle with hydraulic system comprising an odour trap

Publication Date: 2026.03.04 LEFEBVRE FRANCOIS

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AI summary

The invention relates to a hydraulic air backflow prevention system, comprising: - a water collection tank (100); - a water outlet (2); - a hydraulic backflow prevention device (3) connecting the collection tank (100) to the water outlet (2), the hydraulic backflow prevention device (3) comprising a float stopper (31) and a water collection bowl (32) incorporating a cage (4) inside which the float stopper (31) is movable according to a water level (NE) in the collection bowl (32).