Basin Waste Plug Cap Positioning for Aesthetics and Overflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pop-up basin wastes have a protruding cap in the open position, which is aesthetically unpleasing and inconvenient, and are often left open to prevent overflow, compromising their closed position aesthetics.
Innovation Solution
A basin waste design where the cap is below the flange in the closed position and flush with it in the open position, featuring a plug that slides on a spindle with actuation by a spring or push rod, allowing for efficient water flow and easy maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional pop-up basin waste is used with a protruding cap in the open position, then the waste can effectively prevent overflow when closed, but the protruding cap creates aesthetic issues and inconvenience when the basin is left open
Solution Approach 1:
The invention inverts the conventional cap positioning by making the cap recessed into the flange when closed rather than protruding. The cap is positioned below the upper face of the flange in the closed position, and only protrudes slightly when open, reversing the traditional design approach to eliminate aesthetic issues while maintaining overflow prevention functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap is designed with different positional characteristics for different operational states: recessed when closed for aesthetics, and slightly protruding when open for functionality. This localized quality change allows the same component to satisfy both aesthetic requirements in closed position and functional requirements in open position.
2Shape
If the cap is made flush with the flange in the open position, then aesthetics are improved, but the sealing effectiveness in the closed position may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the cap protrude and retract to a flush position, the invention inverts the approach by having the cap recessed in the closed position and only slightly protruding when open. This ensures the cap maintains proper sealing contact with the seat in the closed position while achieving near-flush appearance when open.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded mechanism uses elastic force to ensure the cap is firmly pressed against the sealing seat in the closed position, guaranteeing effective sealing. The spring compensates for any dimensional variations and maintains constant sealing pressure.
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 design maintains aesthetics in both positions, prevents overflow, and ensures the basin waste is functional and visually appealing when open, addressing the protrusion issue of conventional pop-up wastes.
Implementation Method 1
released by pushing the cap further down to release the catch so that it rises to the open position under the force of a spring
Data Source
AI summary
A bath or basin waste having a plug in which the upper face of the cap is substantially below the upper face of the bottom of the bath or basin to which it is fitted when in the closed position and substantially flush with the upper face of the bottom of the bath or basin when in the open position.