Closet Flange Bolt Support Shoulder Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current closet flange systems face challenges in aligning and securing bolts due to uneven subfloors, which can lead to misalignment of the toilet during installation.
Innovation Solution
A closet flange assembly featuring a flange portion with angled slots and a flexible shoulder that supports bolt heads, allowing for secure alignment and positioning of bolts despite subfloor irregularities, and a method for securing the flange to the subfloor and toilet using these features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the bolt head is directly supported by the subfloor, then the installation process is simple, but the bolt alignment is affected by uneven subfloor surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a shoulder structure with a support surface as an intermediary between the subfloor and the bolt head. This mediator provides a stable, level support surface that is not affected by subfloor irregularities, thereby ensuring proper bolt alignment while maintaining installation simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends the support surface in the radial direction to create an angled configuration. This dimensional extension allows the support surface to compensate for subfloor unevenness by providing a level surface at a different orientation, ensuring bolt alignment despite subfloor variations.
2Manufacturing precision
If the support surface is extended at an angle offset from the flange upper surface, then bolt alignment is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the shoulder structure with the flange body, integrating the angled support surface into the existing flange geometry. This combination allows the support surface to provide alignment functionality while being formed as part of the flange manufacturing process, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the angled support surface locally at specific positions where bolt alignment is needed, rather than modifying the entire flange structure. This localized approach maintains simplicity in areas where alignment is not required while providing precision only where necessary.
3Reliability
If the slot opening width varies from receiving end to retaining end, then bolt securing is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dynamic slot geometry where the opening width transitions from wider at the receiving end to narrower at the retaining end. This dynamic variation allows the slot to easily receive the bolt head at the wider end while providing secure retention at the narrower end, reducing the stringency of manufacturing tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameter of the slot opening width along its length, transitioning from a larger width at the receiving end to a smaller width at the retaining end. This parameter change enables easy bolt insertion while ensuring secure retention, thereby improving reliability without requiring extremely tight manufacturing precision.
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 supports and aligns bolts, ensuring proper toilet alignment and secure fastening even on uneven subfloors, preventing bolt misalignment and fall-through issues during installation.
Implementation Method 1
The shoulder is flexible in the axial direction, wherein when the bolt head is inserted into the receiving end of the at least one slot and moved toward the retaining end the shoulder flexes in the axial direction and applies a force to the bolt head
Data Source
AI summary
A closet flange configured to secure a toilet to a drain pipe. The closet flange includes a body portion and a flange portion. The flange portion extends radially outward from an upper end of the body portion. The flange portion comprises at least one slot and a shoulder. The at least one slot extends along the flange portion from a receiving end to a retaining end. The at least one slot has an opening that extends from the receiving end to the retaining end. The shoulder is positioned below the opening of the at least one slot and extends from the receiving end to the retaining end. The shoulder includes a support surface that extends at an angle offset from the upper surface of the flange portion.