Cup-Shaped Floor Drain Structure for High-Flow Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floor drains suffer from reduced water flow capacity due to the use of a guide plate that narrows the water inlet area and changes the flow direction, and are prone to failure when positive pressure in the drainpipe offsets the force exerted by the water, leading to poor drainage.
Innovation Solution
The floor drain design optimizes the structure of the flow channel and stress state of the cup body, eliminating the guide plate and increasing the water inlet area, while using a reset mechanism with a spring or magnet to maintain a stable opening against positive pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional floor drains with straight or curved traps are used, then the trap structure is simple, but the drainage capacity is insufficient for large flow rates and the trap is prone to clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The trap is divided into multiple cup-shaped containers arranged in series, each cup acting as an independent drainage channel. This segmentation allows water to flow through multiple parallel paths simultaneously, dramatically increasing the overall drainage capacity while maintaining a relatively simple individual cup structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-planar or simple three-dimensional trap to a multi-level stacked configuration of cup-shaped containers. By arranging cups vertically and connecting them through overflow channels, the system utilizes the vertical dimension to create multiple drainage pathways without significantly increasing horizontal footprint, thereby enhancing drainage capacity.
2Reliability
If conventional traps are used, then the structure is simple, but debris and hair accumulate causing frequent clogging
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the trap into multiple separate cup-shaped containers, debris and hair that would normally accumulate in a single large trap are distributed across multiple smaller compartments. This segmentation prevents concentrated buildup and clogging, as each cup can be individually cleaned or will self-flush more effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The overflow channels connecting the cups ensure continuous water flow through the entire trap system. This continuous flow action prevents debris from settling and accumulating in any single cup, as water constantly moves through all compartments, carrying away hair and particles before they can build up to clogging levels.
3Productivity
If the trap volume is increased to handle large flows, then drainage capacity improves, but the space required and risk of freezing increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing trap volume by expanding horizontally or creating a single large chamber, the invention stacks multiple compact cup-shaped containers vertically. This dimensional transition allows the system to achieve the equivalent drainage capacity of a large-volume trap while occupying significantly less horizontal space and reducing the total water volume that could freeze.
Solution Approach 2:
The trap system is segmented into multiple small cups rather than one large volume. Each cup contains a small amount of water, minimizing the total freeze risk while the combined capacity of all cups handles large flow rates. The segmented structure also allows for better heat distribution and reduced thermal mass compared to a single large-volume trap.
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
This design enhances drainage capacity by maintaining a steady opening state and reducing flow resistance, ensuring effective water discharge even under positive pressure conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a water seal is provided in order to prevent entry of sewer gas into the building
Implementation Method 2
an overflow channel is provided which directs a flow of water from one cup to another
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
A large-flow floor drain having a cup-shaped inner container, comprising a floor drain cavity (1), a cup-shaped inner container (2), an inner container support (3) and a reset mechanism (8), wherein the cup-shaped inner container (2) comprises a cup body (2-1), cup legs (2-3) and a cup bottom (2-4); the bottom of the cup body is provided with a small hole (2-2); an annular channel formed by an inner surface of the floor drain cavity (1) and an outer surface of the cup body (2-1) is a drainage channel of the floor drain; the cup bottom (2-4) is used as a bottom seal of the floor drain; the inner container support (3) connects the floor drain cavity (1) and the reset mechanism (8) so as to support the cup-shaped inner container (2); the cup bottom (2-4) is linked with the reset mechanism (8); and the floor drain is opened and closed by means of opening and closing the lower end surface of the floor drain cavity (1); a water inlet of the floor drain cavity (1) is a direct path structure without a guide plate so as to expand the flow area of the water inlet of the floor drain and eliminate drainage resistance caused by 180-degree circuitous water flow brought about by a guide plate structure; alternatively, the vertical projection area (A) of the cup body (2-1) is greater than the vertical projection area (S) of the cup bottom (2-4); alternatively, the flow area at a lower end outlet of the floor drain cavity (1) is greater than that at an inlet of the annular channel. By improving the flow channel structure of the floor drain and the force conditions of the cup-shaped inner container (2), the flow channel of the floor drain is enlarged, the flow resistance of water flow flowing through the floor drain is decreased, and the purpose of increasing the amount of water drained by the floor drain is achieved.