Concealed Trench Drain with Hinged Access Door
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sink drains are aesthetically unappealing and obstruct access to larger objects or cleaning tools when visually obscured, as the small openings created to allow water flow are insufficient for larger items or maintenance needs.
Innovation Solution
A concealed trench drain system with an adjustable cover that can be opened to provide wider access while maintaining visual obscurity and unimpeded water flow, utilizing a hinge, torsion spring, and detent mechanism to allow users to control access and reposition the cover.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a cover is used to visually obscure the trench drain, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but access for larger objects and cleaning tools deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is designed to be movable between a closed position (providing aesthetic concealment) and an open position (providing access for larger objects and cleaning tools). The hinge mechanism enables this dynamic transformation, allowing the cover to adapt between aesthetic and functional requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The drain opening is segmented into multiple sections that can be independently opened or closed. This allows partial access when needed while maintaining aesthetic concealment when not in use, resolving the contradiction between visual obscurity and access capability.
2Shape
If a small slit opening is provided in the cover to allow water flow, then visual obscurity is improved, but access for maintenance and larger objects deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cover transitions from a static small slit design to a dynamic system where the cover can be opened fully for maintenance access. The hinge mechanism enables this transformation, allowing the cover to provide both visual obscurity during normal use and full access during maintenance operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The opening size parameter is made variable rather than fixed. The cover can be positioned to create a small slit for normal operation or fully opened for maintenance, changing the geometric parameter of the opening based on operational requirements.
3Ease of operation
If the cover is made removable or adjustable, then access for larger objects is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cover incorporates a hinge mechanism that provides adjustable positioning between fully closed and fully open states. This dynamic mechanism enables access for larger objects while maintaining a relatively simple structural design compared to more complex automated systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge mechanism is designed to be user-operated without requiring additional power sources or complex control systems. The user can manually open and close the cover as needed, keeping the mechanism simple while providing the required 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
Enables both aesthetic concealment of the trench drain and functional access for larger objects or cleaning, ensuring efficient water drainage and maintenance without constant user intervention.
Implementation Method 1
The door can include a door adjustment mechanism that can include a resilient member configured to resist a user's force when the user is opening the door. In one or more examples, the resilient member is a spring; in some embodiments a compression spring.
Data Source
AI summary
A sink that includes a door that is positioned to visually obscure the drain, wherein the door can be opened by the user to access the drain when needed. The door includes a door adjustment mechanism that can allow for the door to be opened by a user and then held open without requiring user intervention. The door adjustment mechanism can also be configured to release the door and allow it to close through the actions of the user. In one or more examples, the door can be positioned so that a gap exists between an edge of the door and a basin portion of the sink. The gap can be large enough to allow for water to flow from the basin of the sink to the drain, but small enough to allow for the drain to be visually obscured.