Adjustable Collar Drain Assembly for Uneven Flooring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floor drain assemblies lack adjustable collars to accommodate uneven flooring, leading to installation inefficiencies and potential protrusion or sinking of drain components, which affects the flush integration with the floor surface.
Innovation Solution
A drain assembly with an adjustable collar featuring a connection flange and a peripheral flange that allows vertical adjustment through elongated passageways and holes, enabling secure fitting of flooring materials and accommodating uneven flooring while maintaining a flush appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed collar is used in the drain assembly, then the structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but the drain cannot accommodate uneven flooring and requires precise installation to avoid protrusion or sinking
Solution Approach 1:
The collar is designed with an adjustable height mechanism featuring multiple position settings, allowing it to adapt to different flooring conditions. The collar can be vertically positioned at different heights to accommodate uneven flooring surfaces, transforming a static structure into a dynamically adjustable one that responds to installation variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar's vertical position parameter is made variable through the adjustable height mechanism. By changing the collar's vertical position among multiple predetermined settings, the system can compensate for variations in flooring height without requiring complex real-time adjustment mechanisms.
2Manufacturing precision
If traditional securement methods are used without adjustable collars, then the installation process is straightforward, but the drain components may protrude from or sink into the floor affecting flush integration
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable collar provides multiple vertical position settings that allow installers to compensate for flooring variations. This dynamic adjustment capability ensures that the drain components maintain proper alignment and flush integration with the floor surface, eliminating the need for highly precise installation while achieving consistent results.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar's height is pre-adjusted to multiple predetermined positions before installation. This preliminary configuration of possible height settings allows the installer to quickly select the appropriate height to achieve proper flush integration, eliminating the need for complex on-site adjustments or highly precise installation skills.
3Reliability
If flooring materials are secured without an adjustable collar mechanism, then the installation is quick, but the flooring may not be properly secured leading to potential movement or dislodgment
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable collar mechanism allows for reliable flooring securement at multiple height positions. The collar can be adjusted to the appropriate height and then locked in place, providing secure attachment of flooring materials while maintaining installation efficiency through the predetermined position settings that eliminate complex adjustment procedures.
Data Source
AI summary
A drain assembly includes a receptacle body with a first end and a second end defining a cavity therebetween, an adjustable collar, and a grate. The first end of the receptacle body forms an opening into the cavity and comprises a peripheral step with a connection flange extending substantially perpendicularly therefrom, and a peripheral flange with a substantially horizontal support portion extending away from the connection flange. The connection flange includes a series of vertical slots for accommodating horizontally-oriented fastening members, and the connection flange and the peripheral flange define a channel therebetween. The adjustable collar comprises a first flange positioned adjacent to the connection flange of the peripheral step, and a second flange extending substantially perpendicular from the first flange. The first flange includes a series of holes which align with the series of vertical slots in the connection flange.