Removable Drain Debris Trap with Curved Radial Prongs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing debris traps for drains are often difficult to remove, clean, and replace, and they can present an aesthetically undesirable appearance, making them inefficient in preventing clogs from hair and other debris.
Innovation Solution
A removable debris trap with an annular rim and radial prongs that fits within a drain body's recess below the grate, allowing for easy removal and cleaning, and is designed to catch debris without obstructing water flow, featuring a protuberance for correct orientation and a resilient, curved prong design for effective debris capture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional hair traps and debris traps are used, then clogs from hair and debris are prevented, but removal and cleaning become difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The debris trap is segmented into a modular design with a removable grate portion and a trap body portion. The grate can be easily lifted off the trap body, allowing users to access and clean the trap without removing the entire drain assembly. This segmentation enables quick maintenance while maintaining effective debris capture.
Solution Approach 2:
The grate is designed as a separate, extractable component that can be easily removed from the trap body. This extraction mechanism allows users to take out the grate for cleaning or replacement without disturbing the underlying trap structure, significantly simplifying the maintenance process.
2Reliability
If traditional hair traps are used, then debris is trapped, but the appearance becomes aesthetically undesirable
Solution Approach 1:
The debris trap is nested within the drain body, with the grate serving as the visible outer component and the trap body concealed beneath. This nesting arrangement allows the functional trap to be hidden from view, maintaining the aesthetic appearance of the drain while effectively trapping debris.
Solution Approach 2:
The grate is designed with an aesthetically pleasing appearance suitable for visible locations, while the trap body below has a functional design optimized for debris capture. This local differentiation allows each component to serve its primary purpose while meeting aesthetic requirements for visible surfaces.
3Ease of operation
If a removable grate design is used, then ease of cleaning is improved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly is segmented into just two main components: a grate and a trap body. This minimal segmentation provides cleaning accessibility without creating excessive structural complexity. The simple two-part design is easy to manufacture and assemble while achieving the goal of easy cleaning.
Data Source
AI summary
A debris trap for a floor drain includes a rim defining an outer diameter, an inner diameter, and a radial center. A plurality of prongs are integrally formed with the rim and spaced along at least part of the inner diameter. At least some of the prongs are arranged to extend over an inlet of a drain body and have a proximal portion connected to the rim and extending radially inward from the rim, and a free distal portion that is only upwardly curved from the proximal portion toward the radial center of the rim.