Adjustable Water Supply Adapter for Flush Fixture Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of plumbing fixtures is hindered by non-standardized water supply outlet depths, requiring multiple pipe nipple lengths and limited access for tool use, leading to delayed installations and compromised seals due to partial threading engagement.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable length adapter with separable collars and a slip fitting design allows on-site length adjustment and secure sealing engagement, minimizing the need for various pipe lengths and reducing the risk of wall damage during installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple pipe nipples of differing lengths are kept available during installation, then the adapter can accommodate various outlet depths, but the installation process becomes more complex and time-consuming due to the need to select and locate the appropriate pipe nipple
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe nipple is divided into a body portion and a separate collar portion that can be selectively assembled. The collar acts as an extension that can be added to the basic pipe nipple to achieve different effective lengths, eliminating the need to stock multiple complete pipe nipples of different lengths while maintaining adaptability to various outlet depths.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a variety of pipe nipples of differing lengths are kept available during installation, then the appropriate size can be located, but installation time is increased due to the delay in locating the correctly sized pipe nipple
Solution Approach 1:
The basic pipe nipple body is prepared in advance with standardized dimensions, and collars of different lengths are pre-fabricated as separate components. During installation, the installer only needs to select the appropriate collar length and assemble it to the existing pipe nipple body, significantly reducing the time required compared to selecting from multiple complete pipe nipples of different lengths.
3Volume of moving object
If the pipe nipple is located entirely behind the wall, then the installation is compact, but the installer's ability to use tools to install the pipe nipple without damaging the wall is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The collar portion extends the functional length of the pipe nipple into a different spatial dimension (forward from the wall surface), allowing the threaded engagement portion to be accessible for tool application while keeping the main body compact behind the wall. This dimensional separation resolves the conflict between compact installation and tool accessibility.
4Ease of operation
If the threads on the pipe nipple are not fully threaded into the plumbing fixture, then the fixture can be positioned correctly against the wall, but the seal quality between components is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The collar serves as an intermediary component between the pipe nipple body and the plumbing fixture. It provides the threaded engagement interface that allows full threading for sealing while the pipe nipple body maintains its position for proper fixture alignment against the wall, thus mediating between the conflicting requirements of full engagement and correct positioning.
Data Source
AI summary
An adapter includes a plurality of individually separable collars that allow for easy, on-site adjustment of the length of the adapter based on a measured offset of an outlet of a water supply assembly to which the adapter is attached. An exterior of each collar is configured to sealingly engage the outlet of the water supply assembly, such that the adjustment to the length of the adapter does not compromise the ability of the adapter to be sealingly coupled to the water supply assembly. A slip fitting provided along a downstream end of the adapter allows the plumbing fixture to be installed flush against a wall in a desired orientation, without compromising the sealing engagement between the adapter and either of the plumbing fixture or outlet opening.