Bathroom fittings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bath and basin wastes with pop-up mechanisms have protruding caps that are aesthetically unpleasing when open and difficult to service, and the actuation mechanisms are hard to access and maintain.
Innovation Solution
A bath or 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 with a circumferential flange for sealing and a separate top cap component, along with a spindle-based actuation mechanism that allows for easy removal and replacement, ensuring the plug remains centered and aesthetically pleasing in both positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the cap protrudes significantly above the flange when in the open position, then the actuation mechanism is easier to operate, but the aesthetic appearance deteriorates and it becomes harder to service
Solution Approach 1:
The cap assembly is divided into separate components: a cap body, a plug, and an actuation mechanism. This segmentation allows the cap to be flush with the flange when open while maintaining operational functionality through the integrated actuation mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuation mechanism is nested within the cap structure, with the spindle and catch mechanism housed inside the cap body. This nesting allows the cap to maintain a flush appearance with the flange while still providing the necessary actuation functionality.
2Shape
If the cap is flush with the flange when in the open position, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the actuation mechanism becomes difficult to service
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation mechanism is designed as a removable assembly that can be extracted from the cap body. The spindle and catch mechanism can be removed separately for servicing while leaving the cap body in place, maintaining the flush appearance when installed.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuation mechanism is pre-assembled as a complete unit before installation. This preliminary assembly allows for easier servicing of the entire mechanism as a single unit while maintaining the aesthetic flush appearance when installed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the plug is allowed to move laterally, then the actuation mechanism has more freedom of movement, but the plug becomes misaligned and non-functional
Solution Approach 1:
The guide features are designed with asymmetric geometry that allows lateral movement during actuation while maintaining proper alignment. The guide ribs and grooves are shaped to permit the necessary degrees of freedom while constraining the plug to its correct operational position.
Solution Approach 2:
Guide ribs and grooves act as intermediary elements between the plug and the actuation mechanism. These guide features mediate the movement, allowing lateral flexibility during actuation while ensuring the plug returns to and maintains proper alignment for sealing.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A bath or basin waste having a plug in which the upper face of the cap is substantially bellow 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.