Waterless Urinal Oil Trap Structure for Cartridge-Free Odor Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional waterless urinals with oil-sealed odor traps rely on disposable cartridges, leading to increased maintenance costs and potential shortages, as well as inefficiencies in odor containment due to high water flow rates.
Innovation Solution
A waterless urinal design featuring a bell trap tube and strainer with an oil-based odor trap arrangement, where the strainer contains an oil-based substance to prevent odor escape and directs urine flow, eliminating the need for disposable cartridges and reducing water flow through the use of a baffle-like configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If disposable cartridges are used in waterless urinals, then odor containment is achieved, but maintenance costs increase and cartridge availability becomes an issue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive disposable cartridges with a permanent, reusable odor trap system that can be maintained indefinitely, eliminating the need for continuous purchase and replacement of cartridges while maintaining effective odor containment
Solution Approach 2:
The odor trap is designed to be self-maintaining through a self-cleaning mechanism where urine flow automatically cleans the trap, eliminating the need for manual intervention or replacement and reducing maintenance costs to minimal levels
2Object-affected harmful factors
If frequent flushing is performed to prevent odor from trap liquid, then odor levels are controlled, but water consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the sealing substance from water to oil-based sealant, which does not evaporate or odorize like water, eliminating the need for flushing to control odor while maintaining an effective seal
Solution Approach 2:
The oil-based sealant provides continuous odor containment without interruption or maintenance of water supply, creating a permanent sealing action that does not require periodic flushing to remain effective
3Productivity
If water flows freely through the trap, then fluid flow is accommodated, but sealant washaway risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates different flow conditions in different parts of the trap: the oil-based sealant layer remains undisturbed while urine flows through designated paths, providing both free fluid flow and sealant retention through spatial differentiation of flow characteristics
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 design enhances maintenance efficiency, reduces operating costs, and effectively contains odors without the need for continuous cartridge replacement, while minimizing the risk of oil-based substance washout or evaporation.
Implementation Method 1
contain an oil-based substance between the ring portion and a wall of the cavity
Implementation Method 2
direct the fluid into the tube
Data Source
AI summary
An oil-based odor trap arrangement for a waterless urinal including (a) a bell trap tube received within a cavity situated in a lower portion of the waterless urinal, wherein one end of the tube is adapted to be removably attached to the cavity; and (b) a strainer having a body and defining a cap portion and an integrally attached ring portion extending axially away from the cap portion, wherein the strainer is adapted to be received onto an opposite end of the tube whereby the ring portion partially envelopes the tube thus forming a baffle configured to: 1) contain an oil-based substance between the ring portion and a wall of the cavity; 2) accommodate the flow of fluid from the urinal between the ring portion and the tube; and 3) direct the fluid into the tube.