Bathtub Drain Overflow Kit Ball Socket Joint Gasket
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bathtub drain and overflow kits face challenges due to variability in bathtub designs, requiring multiple specific kits, stress on plumbing systems from fixed fittings, and difficulties in aligning and sealing gaskets, leading to leaks and increased complexity with separate gaskets for drain and overflow openings.
Innovation Solution
The design includes adjustable drain and overflow fittings with a ball and socket joint and a snap ring for leak-resistant connections, a gasket with tapered and sealing portions for universal use, and retaining features to secure the gasket in place, allowing for a range of angles and ease of installation while reducing stress on the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fixed fittings are used between the overflow opening and the drain, then the connection is permanent and stable, but stress is added to the system and can cause leaking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing fixed rigid fittings with flexible hoses that can bend and adapt to different positions. The flexible hose allows the overflow and drain openings to be connected without creating stress on the plumbing system, while maintaining a reliable leak-free connection through its flexibility and sealing capabilities.
2Reliability
If separate gaskets are used for drain and overflow openings, then each opening can be sealed properly, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the universality principle by using a single gasket that serves both the drain opening and the overflow opening. The gasket is designed with a dual-function structure that includes both a drain gasket portion and an overflow gasket portion, allowing one component to perform the sealing function for both openings, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining effective sealing.
3Device complexity
If a single gasket is used for both drain and overflow openings, then device complexity is reduced, but proper sealing of both openings becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the segmentation principle by dividing the single gasket into distinct functional portions: a drain gasket portion with a drain opening and an overflow gasket portion with an overflow opening. Each portion is specifically designed to seal its respective opening, with features like tapered sealing surfaces and retaining structures that ensure proper alignment and sealing without requiring high manufacturing precision for the entire gasket as a single unit.
Data Source
AI summary
A bathtub drain and overflow fitting kit is provided having a drain fitting, an overflow fitting and/or an adapter fitting, for connecting the bathtub drain and overflow openings to the household waste plumbing. The overflow fitting has a ball and socket connection between its inlet and outlet. Preferably, the overflow fitting has an abutment member which limits the range of angles created by the joint socket and joint ball within a range of angles to about 10°. The kit includes a gasket having a first sealing portion, a second sealing portion, and a tapered sealing portion between the first and second sealing portions, and is configured so that the same gasket may be used at the drain opening or the overflow opening. The drain and overflow fittings have at their inlets retaining features that interengage matching retaining features on the gasket to hold during installation.