Waterless Urinal Membrane Siphon for Odor Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Waterless sanitary facilities, particularly urinals, face challenges with unreliable odor suppression and maintenance due to sedimentation and frequent refilling of sealing liquids, and existing membrane technology lacks effective liquid guidance and residue removal.
Innovation Solution
A waterless sanitary facility with a urinal basin and drain system featuring a cover with openings for liquid collection, a tubular housing with sloping surfaces leading to lateral openings covered by flexible membranes, ensuring reliable liquid drainage and preventing residue sedimentation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If sealing liquid is used in siphon inserts to prevent odor formation, then odor suppression is improved, but maintenance reliability deteriorates due to frequent refilling and sedimentation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the sealing liquid component entirely from the system. Instead of using liquid seals that require maintenance, the patent employs membrane technology where flexible membranes cover lateral openings in the housing, eliminating the need for refilling while maintaining odor suppression functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state of the sealing mechanism from liquid to solid membrane structure. This parameter change transforms the sealing approach from a consumable liquid that sediments to a durable solid membrane that can be easily replaced, significantly improving maintenance reliability.
2Productivity
If lateral openings are provided in the housing for liquid drainage, then liquid flow capability is improved, but liquid guidance and residue removal deteriorate without proper sloping surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces sloping surfaces (neigende Abfallschiefen) that guide liquid flow toward the lateral openings. These inclined surfaces ensure complete liquid drainage by directing all liquid toward the openings, preventing residue accumulation and improving overall drainage efficiency.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If membranes are placed over lateral openings for sealing, then odor suppression is improved, but liquid flow reliability deteriorates without proper liquid guidance structure
Solution Approach 1:
The sloping surfaces work in conjunction with the membranes to ensure reliable liquid flow. The inclined geometry guides liquid directly toward the membrane-covered openings, ensuring that membranes remain in contact with flowing liquid and maintain both sealing and drainage functions simultaneously.
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
Ensures trouble-free operation with reliable odor suppression and reduced maintenance, preventing odor nuisance and sedimentation by effectively guiding liquids out of the housing without residue, enhancing reliability and fault-free operation.
Implementation Method 1
at least one side opening provided in the housing wall, which is covered by a loose membrane or film lying on the outside of the housing
Implementation Method 2
a lower housing closure which forms at least one sloping surface that slopes down to an associated lateral opening in the housing wall, so that the liquid flowing out over a sloping surface the housing leaves via the respective opening
Data Source
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AI summary
A waterless urinal has a cylindrical insert (10) with outlet grooves on the outside to drain liquid into a collecting space from where a siphon device drains into lateral outlets protected by a cylindrical membrane (13). The whole fitting is held centrally in the outlet duct (33) by two flexible flanges to provide a plug in fitting. No water barrier is required. The initial drainage grooves prevent ingress of items.