Waterless Urinal Deodorizer Housing for Flexible Cartridge Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional waterless urinals require frequent and uniform replacement of consumable de-odorizer cartridges, leading to unnecessary waste and inefficiency, as the usage rate of each urinal varies, and the physical reduction of the de-odorizer necessitates timely replacement regardless of depletion.
Innovation Solution
A reusable apparatus for waterless urinals with a housing that allows for partial or full replacement of consumable de-odorizers, featuring an access device that permits repeated access to the chamber, enabling the insertion of a new de-odorizer before the old one is fully depleted, and includes a consumable level indicator to monitor usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If disposable cartridges with consumable de-odorizer are used in conventional waterless urinals, then the de-odorizer can mask urine smell effectively, but the cartridges must be replaced periodically causing waste and maintenance inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The urinal system is divided into two main segments: a reusable housing unit and a replaceable consumable de-odorizer cartridge. This segmentation allows the durable components to be retained while only the consumable de-odorizer is replaced, reducing waste compared to disposing of entire cartridges. The housing includes a receptacle that receives the consumable cartridge, enabling selective replacement of only the depleted de-odorizer component.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables recovery and reuse of the housing unit, trap, and associated components after the consumable de-odorizer is depleted. Instead of discarding the entire cartridge assembly, only the consumable de-odorizer portion is discarded while the housing is retained and reused with a new consumable cartridge, significantly reducing material waste and maintenance costs.
2Reliability
If cartridges are replaced periodically in multi-urinal settings, then all urinals can be maintained uniformly, but heavily used urinals may be insufficiently maintained while lightly used ones are over-maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a visible window or indicator on the housing that allows users to self-monitor the depletion level of the consumable de-odorizer cartridge. When the consumable becomes depleted, the indicator becomes visible, prompting immediate replacement. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for scheduled maintenance visits and ensures each urinal is maintained based on its actual usage and depletion needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The visible window or indicator provides continuous visual feedback about the consumable de-odorizer status. This feedback mechanism allows maintenance personnel or users to identify which specific urinals need attention based on actual depletion rather than following a uniform schedule, optimizing maintenance resource allocation across multiple urinals.
3Reliability
If entire cartridges are replaced when de-odorizer depletes, then the urinal remains fully functional, but significant material must be disposed of including non-consumable components
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into a permanent housing unit containing the trap and plumbing connections, and a replaceable consumable cartridge. This segmentation simplifies disposal by allowing only the depleted consumable cartridge to be removed and discarded, while the complex housing unit with integrated trap remains in place and is reused, reducing disposal complexity significantly.
4Productivity
If the access device allows repeated access to the chamber, then the apparatus can be reused and refilled efficiently, but the housing structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The access device incorporates a removable panel or access point in the housing that can be easily opened or removed to provide direct access to the consumable cartridge chamber. This extracted access mechanism allows rapid replacement of consumable cartridges without disassembling the entire housing, improving maintenance efficiency while adding minimal structural complexity compared to a fully sealed design.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for a waterless urinal is described. The apparatus comprises a housing defining a chamber for receiving a consumable de-odoriser, the housing including an access device to permit access to the chamber for allowing replacement of the consumable de-odoriser.