Drain Assembly Compact Lateral Overflow Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drain arrangements for washbasins and sinks are not compact enough, occupying excessive space which limits the volume available for base cabinets below them.
Innovation Solution
A drain arrangement with a drain valve housing, lateral outlet and mouth openings, and an overflow unit that minimizes overall height by positioning the drain pipe and connecting pipes side by side, allowing for a more compact design that reduces installation space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the drain assembly uses a conventional vertical overflow unit extension, then the drainage function is achieved, but the installation space required below the washbasin increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The overflow unit is reoriented to extend horizontally alongside the drain pipe rather than vertically above it. This dimensional change allows the overflow function to be achieved without consuming vertical installation space below the washbasin, thereby resolving the contradiction between compact installation space and reliable drainage function.
Solution Approach 2:
The overflow unit is positioned within the lateral space occupied by the drain pipe assembly. By nesting the overflow structure within the existing pipe arrangement, the design achieves compact integration without requiring additional installation space, maintaining both space efficiency and drainage reliability.
2Length of stationary object
If the drain pipe and connecting pipes are arranged vertically, then the drainage flow is efficient, but the overall height of the drain assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe arrangement transitions from a vertical configuration to a horizontal lateral arrangement. The drain pipe and connecting pipes are positioned side by side in the horizontal plane, which reduces the overall height of the assembly while maintaining effective drainage flow through optimized lateral routing.
Solution Approach 2:
The pipe layout employs asymmetric positioning where the overflow pipe connects to the drain pipe at an optimized point that balances flow efficiency with compact dimensions. This asymmetric arrangement allows the system to achieve both reduced height and maintained drainage performance.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
A drain assembly (1) for connection to a sanitary article (2) comprises a drain valve housing (3) with a first channel section (4) having an inlet opening (5), a second channel section (6) with an outlet opening (7) and a valve seat (8) located between the inlet opening (5) and the outlet opening (7), a valve body (9) movable by the valve seat (8) from a closed position to an open position, an actuating unit (10) with which the valve body (9) can be moved, and a drain pipe (11) into which the second channel section (6) with its outlet opening (7) opens, wherein a first central axis (M4) runs centrally through the first channel section (4) and a drain pipe central axis (M11) runs centrally through the drain pipe (11), wherein the drain pipe central axis (M11) intersects the first central axis (M4) or wherein the drain pipe central axis (M11) is at a distance from the first central axis (M4). stands,wherein the distance corresponds at most to half the diameter of the outlet opening (7), and wherein the drain arrangement (1) further comprises an overflow unit (23) having a first connecting pipe (24), an overflow pipe (25) and a second connecting pipe (26). The first and the second connecting pipes (24, 26) run substantially alongside and parallel to the drain pipe (11) in the installed position.