Unitary Clicker Drain Assembly for Fewer Leak Paths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional clicker drain assemblies require expensive materials, multiple components, and complex assembly processes, leading to increased leak paths and manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A single, unitary drain body construction with a stainless steel main body, integrated overflow openings, and a forged trim ring, along with a simplified actuating mechanism, reduces leak paths and assembly time while using cost-effective materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional clicker drain assemblies use multiple components and expensive materials, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost and assembly time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate components (drain body, overflow body, actuating assembly, seals) into a single unitary molded construction. This integration eliminates the need for multiple assembly steps and reduces the number of potential leak paths between components, while maintaining reliability through the inherent sealing capabilities of the integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The unitary drain assembly performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides drainage, overflow protection, and actuating mechanisms all within a single component structure. This multi-functionality reduces the overall system complexity while maintaining the reliability of each individual function.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional clicker drains use multiple components, then functionality is improved, but assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
By molding the drain body, overflow body, and actuating assembly as a single integrated unit, the patent eliminates multiple assembly operations. The unitary construction allows the entire assembly to be installed as one piece, dramatically reducing assembly time while preserving all necessary drain functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuating assembly and seal components are pre-integrated into the molded drain body during manufacturing. This preliminary integration ensures proper positioning and alignment are achieved during molding, eliminating the need for precise manual assembly and alignment operations that would consume time.
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional clicker drains use expensive materials and complex assembly, then product quality is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple precision-manufactured components into a single molded part. This integration eliminates the need for multiple precision machining operations and complex assembly procedures, reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining the precision required for proper function through mold-based manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The unitary molded construction uses cost-effective materials and manufacturing processes (such as injection molding) to produce the drain assembly, replacing expensive traditional materials like brass casting. This approach maintains functional precision while significantly reducing material and manufacturing costs.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and apparatuses related to a clicker drain assembly are provided herein. The clicker drain assembly includes an actuating assembly. The actuation assembly has a spring therein and is configured to actuate between an open position in which the spring is in a first position and a closed position in which the spring is in a second position. The clicker drain assembly includes a stopper assembly coupled to the actuating assembly and configured to actuate the actuating assembly between the open position and the closed position when pressed by a user.