Bathtub Overflow Fitting with Segmented Circular Openings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional bathtub overflow fittings with standardized circular holes face difficulties in securely fixing elongated or rectangular screens, leading to rotation issues and stability concerns, which affect the design and aesthetics of novel panels covering the tub overflow hole.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates an inlet and overflow fitting with an elongate through-opening or multiple adjacent openings in the bathtub wall, allowing for a non-rotatable fixation of elongated screens, increased overflow capacity, and a slit-shaped inlet opening for enhanced water flow, along with a detachable sight ring and actuating elements for easy installation and operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a standardized circular overflow hole is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but secure fixation of elongated screens becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidscreen fixation stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the overflow hole into two separate circular holes instead of using a single elongated hole. This segmentation allows the elongated screen to be securely fixed at multiple points while maintaining manufacturing simplicity, as circular holes are easier to produce than elongated ones.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a single elongated opening to two separate circular openings, changing the dimensional arrangement. This allows the screen to be fixed at multiple discrete points along its length, preventing rotation while maintaining ease of manufacture for each individual circular hole.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If an elongated screen is fixed on a single circular overflow hole, then installation is simple, but rotation and stability problems occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidscreen anti-rotation stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

By dividing the single circular overflow hole into two separate circular holes, the screen can be fixed at multiple points along its length. This segmentation provides rotational stability while keeping each individual fixation point simple, maintaining ease of installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies different fixation points at different locations along the screen's length. Each circular hole provides a localized fixation point, and the combination of multiple such points creates overall rotational stability while each individual fixation remains simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If a single elongated through-opening is used, then screen design flexibility is improved, but secure non-rotatable fixation becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescreen design flexibilityVSAvoidfixation security
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the single elongated through-opening into two separate circular through-openings. This allows the screen to maintain its elongated design for aesthetic flexibility while providing multiple discrete fixation points that prevent rotation and ensure secure attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2703570B1Inlet and overflow fitting for bath tubs and bath tubs equipped for the same
Publication Date: 2017.12.27 VIEGA TECHNOLOGY GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2703570B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2703570B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2703570B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The supply- and overflow set has an overflow body (8) with an overflow opening (8.1) facing a passage opening of a bathtub. An inlet channel (6) is arranged in the depth of the bathtub wall in the lateral distance of the overflow opening of the overflow opening. A feed body (6b) and the overflow opening are arranged behind a common elongated cover plate (2). The cover plate is connected with one or multiple components of the supply- and overflow set at two connecting points in a releasable manner.