Adjustable Drain Assembly with Modular Barrel and Plug
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drain assemblies lack adaptability and flexibility in various installation techniques, leading to potential deficiencies in floor construction adjacent to the drain installation, which can result in costly re-installations due to inadequate pre-selected parameters.
Innovation Solution
A drain assembly comprising a drain body, an upper barrel, and a plug with adjustable components, including interior and exterior threads, and a plug gasket, allowing for axial adjustment and sealing, along with interchangeable components such as a strainer barrel and extender barrel, to accommodate different installation depths and configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If drain assemblies are provided with fixed specific parameters, then manufacturing and inventory management are simplified, but adaptability to various installation techniques is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The drain assembly is divided into multiple interchangeable components including different barrel lengths, flange types, and adapter options. Each component can be selected and combined to match specific installation requirements such as on-grade, cored opening, or waterproofing installations, allowing a single base unit to serve multiple installation scenarios without requiring complete redesign of the entire assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The drain assembly incorporates universal features such as threaded connections that accept various barrel configurations, multiple flange attachment methods, and adaptable sealing mechanisms. These universal interfaces enable the same drain body to accommodate different installation techniques and floor construction variations, providing multi-functionality across diverse application scenarios
2Adaptability or versatility
If drain assemblies are made adjustable with interchangeable components, then adaptability to various installation techniques is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the drain assembly into standardized modular components (different barrel lengths, flange types, adapters), the complexity is managed through systematic design rather than random variation. Each segment serves a specific function and can be independently selected, making the complexity organized and controllable rather than chaotic
Solution Approach 2:
The assembly allows for parameter changes such as adjusting barrel length, flange position, and connection types to match installation requirements. These parameter variations are achieved through interchangeable components with standardized interfaces, enabling adaptation without fundamentally changing the core assembly structure or requiring complex customization
3Measurement precision
If drain assemblies are made axially adjustable with threaded connections, then precision in alignment and fit is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The threaded connections and adjustable mechanisms are pre-manufactured with precise specifications during the manufacturing phase. This preliminary action ensures that when components are assembled on-site, the precision requirements are already built into the components themselves, reducing the need for field adjustments and ensuring consistent alignment without requiring excessive manufacturing tolerance control across all components
Data Source
AI summary
A drain assembly includes a drain body, barrel, plug, and gasket. The drain body has an interior surface defining a channel along an axis and having interior threads thereon. The barrel has a central body having an upper end, with a flange extending radially outward therefrom and defining a landing surface. The central body has opposed exterior and interior barrel surfaces having exterior and interior threads, respectively. The interior barrel surface defines a channel alignable with the axis. The exterior threads are engageable with the drain body interior threads for axially adjusting the barrel relative to the drain body. The plug has a top wall and an outer body extending axially downward therefrom to a stop surface. A portion of the outer body extends axially below the stop surface and has external threads engageable with the barrel interior threads. The gasket is sealingly receivable between the stop and landing surfaces.