Bath Waste Trap Vertical Water Seal Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current waste trap designs are unable to fit in the reduced spaces of low-profile baths due to their fixed height, which is determined by the minimum water seal depth and pipe diameter, and reducing the trap height affects the flow rate.
Innovation Solution
A waste trap design with a higher water seal height than the trap outlet, incorporating a weir that raises the water seal and allows for a larger outlet diameter without increasing the trap's overall height, and a rotatable second body portion for flexibility in installation, along with a chamber to maintain flow rate and prevent bottlenecks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the trap height is reduced to fit low-profile baths, then the space constraint is solved, but the flow rate deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reconfigures the trap geometry by raising the water seal height above the trap outlet level, transitioning from a conventional horizontal seal to a vertical seal configuration. This dimensional change allows the water seal to occupy vertical space rather than horizontal space, reducing the trap's footprint while maintaining adequate flow capacity through the outlet.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the critical parameter of water seal height, making it greater than the trap outlet height (h > d). This parameter inversion from the conventional design (where outlet height exceeds seal height) enables the trap to fit in low-profile installations while maintaining proper flow characteristics and preventing siphonage.
2Length of stationary object
If a reduced diameter connection is used to reduce trap height, then the space constraint is solved, but the flow rate deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of reducing the outlet diameter to achieve compact dimensions, the patent uses vertical space to accommodate the water seal, allowing the outlet to maintain its full diameter. The seal height extends vertically above the outlet rather than horizontally, preserving flow capacity while achieving compact horizontal dimensions.
3Reliability
If the water seal height is increased to improve sealing, then the gas barrier function is improved, but the trap height increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the water seal vertically above the trap outlet rather than horizontally alongside it. This vertical arrangement allows the seal height to extend upward, improving the gas barrier function by creating a taller water barrier, while the trap's horizontal footprint remains compact, fitting within low-profile bath configurations.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
A waste trap (10) for a bath is described. The waste trap (10) comprises a first trap inlet (12) adapted to be connected to a bath outlet, a second trap inlet (16) adapted to be connected to a bath overflow and a trap outlet (20) adapted to be connected to a waste pipe. The trap is arranged to form a water seal between the first trap inlet and the trap outlet, the height of the water seal, in use, being higher than at least part of the trap outlet.