A drain pipe insert arrangement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drain arrangements for modern buildings are cumbersome to install, often require knowledge of the floor type and thickness, and lack efficient and cost-effective solutions for mounting in a quick and secure manner, especially when drain pipes do not extend perpendicularly from the floor.
Innovation Solution
A drain insert arrangement featuring a deformable connector with drain flanges and holders that can be angled or tilted to fit standard drain pipes of varying dimensions, combined with a locking mechanism and adhesive sealing flange for secure mounting, and an optional sensor for leak detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a traditional drain insert is used, then the drain can be mounted in the floor, but the installation process is cumbersome and requires knowledge of floor type and thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The drain insert is divided into multiple components: a connector portion that interfaces with the drain pipe, a floor portion that interfaces with the floor, and a valve portion. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall installation process by enabling modular assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector portion is designed to be movable and adaptable, allowing it to accommodate drain pipes that extend at different angles from the floor. The connector can be adjusted to match non-perpendicular pipe orientations, eliminating the need for precise pre-planning of floor thickness and type.
2Reliability
If a drain insert is designed to fit specific floor types, then the seal is reliable, but the device cannot be universally applied to different floor configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The connector portion is designed with universal adaptability to interface with various drain pipe configurations and floor types. The movable design allows the same connector to reliably seal against different floor materials and pipe angles, eliminating the need for floor-specific drain insert variants.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector's geometric parameters are designed to be adjustable within a range that accommodates different floor thicknesses and pipe angles. This parameter flexibility allows the connector to maintain reliable sealing across diverse installation conditions without compromising seal integrity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the drain pipe extends non-perpendicularly from the floor, then the installation adapts to existing conditions, but traditional drain inserts cannot be properly mounted
Solution Approach 1:
The connector portion is designed as a movable component that can be positioned at various angles to match non-perpendicular drain pipe orientations. This dynamic design allows installers to easily mount the drain insert by simply adjusting the connector angle, eliminating complex mounting procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring the drain pipe to be perpendicular to the floor for proper installation, the invention inverts the approach by allowing the connector to adapt to the pipe's existing orientation. This reversal of the traditional requirement simplifies mounting in existing buildings where pipe angles vary.
4Ease of operation
If a valve is mounted in the connector, then water flow can be controlled, but the valve may loosen due to water rising in the drain pipe
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is pre-secured in the connector portion using a retention mechanism that prevents loosening from water pressure. This prior cushioning against the loosening force ensures the valve remains reliably positioned even when water rises in the drain pipe, while maintaining full water flow control capability.
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
Enables easy, reliable, and cost-effective installation of drain inserts in non-perpendicular drain pipes, preventing water damage by ensuring a watertight seal and efficient water evacuation, while alerting users to leaks through a sensor system.
Implementation Method 1
The connector (2) comprises a deformable element, in this embodiment in the form of a plurality of drain flanges (25) mounted around its outer circumference
Implementation Method 2
an adhesive is arranged on a lower side of the sealing flange for creating a seal between the sealing flange and a floor
Implementation Method 3
the connector comprises at least one rib that extends radially on an upper side of the sealing flange. Thereby, an improved drainage of water from the floor surrounding the drain insert arrangement can be achieved, thanks to capillary forces
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a
AI summary
The present invention relates to an drain insert arrangement for a building having a drain pipe, comprising a connector (2) having -an elongated hollow drain pipe insert (21) having a lower end (23) for insertion into a drain pipe and an upper end (22), -a sealing flange (24) for creating a seal against a floor surrounding the drain pipe, the sealing flange (24) further being arranged on said upper end (22) and extending radially from the insert (21), -the connector further comprising at least one deformable element (25, 21) arranged on the drain pipe insert (21), and -a locking mechanism (27) which is configured for cooperating with a corresponding locking mechanism in a valve which can be mounted in the connector thereby locking the valve in place inside the drain pipe insert (21) of the connector. The invention also relates to a drain insert arrangement system.