Conical Drain Plug with Collection Ring for Hair Trapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drain plugs lose efficiency and effectiveness when hair and debris are collected, as the holes become clogged, restricting water flow and leading to standing water in sinks or tubs.
Innovation Solution
A plug with a conical core and cone ridges, featuring alternating flow and strainer holes, an adjustable outer rim, and protrusions to collect debris at a focused collection ring, preventing clogs by trapping hair and strings efficiently and allowing for easy removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If drain plugs trap hair and debris in holes, then debris collection is improved, but water flow is restricted and standing water occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The drain plug is divided into multiple functional zones: a collection ring for debris accumulation, multiple flow holes for water passage, and multiple strainer holes for fine debris filtration. This segmentation allows simultaneous debris trapping and maintained water flow through parallel pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the plug have specialized functions: the collection ring concentrates debris removal, flow holes maintain water throughput, and strainer holes filter fine particles. Each local area is optimized for its specific purpose, preventing clogging while maintaining flow.
2Productivity
If drain plugs use multiple holes for flow, then water flow capacity is improved, but debris clogs the holes reducing effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The collection ring acts as an intermediary debris trap that intercepts hair and debris before they reach the flow holes and strainer holes. This mediator structure protects the flow pathways from direct clogging while maintaining their water flow function.
Solution Approach 2:
Debris is captured and collected in the collection ring before it can enter and clog the flow holes and strainer holes. This preliminary debris removal action prevents downstream clogging and maintains hole effectiveness over time.
3Ease of manufacture
If drain plugs have a fixed structure, then manufacturing is simplified, but adaptability to different drain sizes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The outer rim is designed as an expandable structure that can dynamically adjust its diameter to match different drain hole sizes. This dynamic adaptation allows the same plug design to fit various drain configurations without requiring multiple fixed-size versions.
Solution Approach 2:
The plug incorporates universal features including an expandable outer rim for different drain sizes, multiple flow holes for various flow requirements, and a collection ring for debris trapping. This multi-functional design makes the same plug adaptable to different drain types and sizes.
Data Source
AI summary
The plug for a drain collects debris before the debris can enter the plumbing. The plug includes an outer rim; a conical core having a top cone end and a bottom core end opposite the top cone end; a cone cover being placed at the top cone end; and a plurality of cone ridges extending from the cone cover and toward the outer rim. The conical core has a conical surface with an inner side and an outer side opposite the inner side, a plurality of flow holes, and a plurality of strainer holes. Each cone ridge has a top cone ridge end larger than a bottom cone ridge end so as to form a collection ring portion on the conical surface. The conical core can have a plurality of protrusions extending outward. Debris can be collected by the protrusions at the strainer holes and at the collection ring.