Bathtub Drainage System with Variable Diameter P-Trap
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Standard 1.5″ PVC pipe drainage systems in bathtubs drain water slowly, causing inconvenience, especially in walk-in bathtubs where users must wait for the water to drain before exiting, which can lead to discomfort due to temperature differences.
Innovation Solution
A drainage system featuring a P-trap configuration with a first elbow having a smaller inlet and a larger outlet, connected to a u-bend conduit with equal inner diameters, and a second elbow that connects to a fluid drain, increasing water flow rates by accommodating larger diameters downstream.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If standard 1.5" PVC pipe drainage systems are used, then the drainage system is simple and easy to install, but the water drains slowly from the bath basin
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the inner diameter parameter of the drainage pipes from the standard 1.5" to larger sizes (2" or 3") to increase water flow capacity and drainage speed. This parameter change directly addresses the slow drainage issue while maintaining a relatively simple drainage system configuration.
2Productivity
If larger diameter pipes are used to increase drainage speed, then water drains faster, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage system is segmented into different sections with different pipe diameters: a larger diameter section (2" or 3") for high-speed drainage and a smaller diameter section (1.5") for connection to standard plumbing. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high productivity where needed while maintaining compatibility with standard infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
A transition piece or adapter acts as an intermediary component connecting the larger diameter drainage pipe to the standard 1.5" plumbing system. This intermediary enables the system to benefit from larger pipe diameters for faster drainage while still connecting to existing standard infrastructure without requiring complete system replacement.
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 system drains water faster than standard systems, allowing users to exit walk-in bathtubs sooner and reducing exposure to temperature differences.
Implementation Method 1
The basin drain has an outlet for draining water from the interior portion of the basin
Implementation Method 2
The drainage system forms a P-trap including a first elbow, a U-bend conduit, and a second elbow
Data Source
AI summary
A drainage system for use in a bathtub, sink, or the like. A bathtub may include a bath basin and a basin drain that drains water from the bath basin. The drainage system forms a p-trap. The drainage system includes an inlet elbow having an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is fluidly connected to an outlet of the basin drain. The drainage system also includes a u-bend conduit having an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is fluidly connected to the outlet of the first elbow. The drainage system also includes a second elbow having an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is fluidly connected to the outlet of the u-bend conduit. The outlet is configured to connect to an inlet of a fluid drain.