Adjustable Floor Drain Assembly for Post-Pour Height Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floor drains installed in poured concrete floors face challenges in precise location and alignment, leading to potential tripping hazards and improper operation, as they require precise installation to function effectively.
Innovation Solution
A vertically adjustable floor drain assembly with a removable cover that allows for post-installation height adjustment, featuring a collar, rough-in adapter, and a cover with resilient engagement mechanisms, enabling the drain head to be raised to match the finished floor level, ensuring proper alignment and operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the floor drain is installed in a poured concrete floor requiring precise location and alignment, then proper operation and prevention of tripping hazards are achieved, but installation complexity and difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The floor drain assembly is divided into multiple segments: a drain body, a collar, a rough-in adapter, and a cover. These segments can be installed in sequence, with the rough-in adapter providing a stable base during concrete pouring, then the drain head being adjusted and positioned precisely after the concrete cures. This segmentation allows rough installation during pouring followed by precise adjustment later.
Solution Approach 2:
The rough-in adapter with its flange is installed and positioned before the concrete pouring, serving as a preliminary structure that establishes the drain location. The flange extends through the concrete surface, providing a reference point and attachment point for later components. This preliminary positioning simplifies the final alignment process.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the floor drain requires precise alignment with the finished grade, then tripping hazards are prevented, but installation time and adjustment difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The drain head is designed to be adjustable relative to the rough-in adapter through threaded engagement. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the drain head height to be modified after installation to precisely match the finished floor grade. The resilient tabs on the cover provide flexible engagement that accommodates adjustment movements while maintaining secure connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The vertical position of the drain head can be changed by rotating it along the threaded shank of the rough-in adapter. This parameter change (vertical position) allows precise alignment with the finished floor grade. The resilient toothed tabs engage with recesses to maintain the adjusted position while allowing for future adjustments if needed.
3Measurement precision
If the floor drain assembly uses multiple adjustable components, then alignment precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rough-in adapter serves multiple functions: it provides structural support during concrete pouring, establishes the drain location through its flange, enables vertical adjustment of the drain head via threaded engagement, and provides attachment points for the cover through resilient tabs. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The components are nested within each other: the drain head is received on the rough-in adapter, the cover is positioned over the drain head, and the resilient tabs nest within recesses for engagement. This nested arrangement consolidates multiple functions into a compact assembly that, while having multiple parts, maintains a streamlined structure.
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
The adjustable design ensures precise alignment and operation of the floor drain, preventing tripping hazards and allowing for easy installation of the finished floor without compromising drainage functionality.
Implementation Method 1
the engagement of the cover with the flange includes one or more resilient members... the one or more resilient members are resilient toothed tabs
Data Source
AI summary
A floor drain assembly for connecting to a drain system of an installation site. The floor drain assembly includes a drain body having drain coupling adapted for connecting to the drain system, a collar mounted to the drain body, and a rough-in adapter having a radially extending flange. The rough-in adapter is axially adjustably mounted to the collar and a strainer frame is axially adjustably mounted to the rough-in adapter. Mounted to the frame is a strainer. A cover encloses the strainer and strainer frame and includes a central region and a downwardly extending perimetric wall that is removably mounted, at a lower end thereof to, the flange of the rough-in adapter.