Bristle Drain Cover With Water-Soluble Substance Container

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drain covers for basins and tubs are prone to hair clogging, require complex adaptation to movement mechanisms, and have difficulty in absorbing substances that release fragrances or cleaning agents, leading to unpleasant odors and hygiene issues.

Innovation Solution

A drain cover with a plate-shaped cap, a cylindrical container for water-soluble substances, and a bristle part with radially protruding bristles that securely fits over the drain opening, allowing easy water drainage and hair capture, independent of vertical movement mechanisms, and designed for simple assembly and easy cleaning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a sealing plug with a substance that gradually dissolves in water is used, then fragrance or cleaning substance absorption is improved, but the plug wobbles and requires complex movement mechanism adaptation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesubstance absorption capacityVSAvoidmovement mechanism adaptation
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing plug is divided into functionally independent components: a sealing element for closing the drain opening and a container for holding the water-soluble substance. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally without interfering with the other, eliminating the need for complex movement mechanism adaptation while maintaining substance absorption capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The container holding the water-soluble substance is extracted as a separate component from the sealing mechanism. This allows the sealing plug to function independently without requiring adaptation to movement mechanisms, while the container can be positioned optimally for substance absorption and gradual dissolution in water.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Quantity of substance

If a lattice structure with many passage openings is used for water and substance exchange, then substance consumption exchange is improved, but hair accumulation closes the structure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater and substance exchange efficiencyVSAvoidhair clogging
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing plug is segmented into a sealing element and a container with controlled openings. This segmentation allows the container to provide sufficient passage openings for water and substance exchange while the sealing element maintains a simpler structure less prone to hair accumulation and clogging.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the device have different structural qualities optimized for their specific functions: the container has multiple passage openings for efficient water and substance exchange, while the sealing element has a simpler structure that resists hair accumulation. This local differentiation of structural quality resolves the contradiction between exchange efficiency and clogging resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If the drain cover structure is simplified for easy assembly, then ease of assembly is improved, but adaptability to different drain heights is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidadaptability to different drain heights
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The container is designed with flexible positioning capability, allowing it to be adjusted to different heights and positions within the drain opening. This dynamic adaptability enables the simple assembly structure to accommodate various drain configurations without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing plug design incorporates universal features that allow it to function effectively across different drain opening sizes and heights. The container can be positioned at various levels while maintaining its substance absorption and release functions, making the simple assembly structure adaptable to diverse installation scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution effectively prevents hair clogging, ensures prolonged substance absorption, and maintains hygiene by releasing fragrances or cleaning agents, allowing for extended refill intervals and easy maintenance.

Implementation Method 1

The bristles serve to catch hair from the drain water and therefore protect the drain pipe from premature clogging

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

a substance 5 that is gradually consumed in water is held in a container interior

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSolvation: Solvation

Data Source

PatentEP3295847B1Drain cover with hair catcher
Publication Date: 2019.09.04 BILZ SONJA MARIA
  • EP3295847B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3295847B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3295847B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present invention relates to a drain cover for a drain opening (6) of a basin, comprising: a plate-shaped cover cap (1); a container (2), the upper container section of which is connected to an underside of the cover cap (1) and the lower container section of which is closed at least to the extent that a substance (5) that is gradually consumed in the water is held in the interior of the container, the container (2 ) has at least one first passage opening (2a) for water and from the substance (5) dissolved substances; at least three spacers (1c) connected to the underside of the cap (1) and designed to keep the cap (1) at a distance from a pool floor so that the water can drain off; and a bristle member (3) disposed around said container (2) and having a plurality of radially outwardly projecting bristles (3b) projecting substantially perpendicularly outwardly to catch hair.