Drain Fitting with Conical Chamber to Reduce Flow Restriction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Standard 1½ inch diameter bath drains restrict water flow due to diameter reduction from drain to sewer pipe, leading to suboptimal draining times and code violations, particularly inconvenient for walk-in-baths where users must wait for water to drain before exiting.
Innovation Solution
A drain fitting with a wider inlet than outlet, featuring sloping interior surfaces forming a truncated cone shape, which connects to a sewer pipe with a cylindrical connector portion, maximizing flow by minimizing flow restrictions and ensuring compliance with local codes through enhanced design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the drain inlet diameter is increased to improve water flow rate, then the draining speed is improved, but the connection to standard 1½ inch sewer pipes becomes problematic and may violate code requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The drain fitting applies local quality by having different diameters at different locations: a large inlet diameter (2 inches or more) at the drain shoe to maximize water collection, and a smaller outlet diameter (1½ inches) at the connector to match standard sewer pipes. This spatial variation in diameter allows the system to simultaneously achieve high flow rate at the inlet and code compliance at the outlet connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention resolves the diameter conflict by adding a dimensional element - the sloping conical chamber that transitions water flow from the larger inlet plane to the smaller outlet plane. This three-dimensional transition chamber allows the system to accommodate both large inlet and small outlet dimensions, effectively resolving the contradiction through spatial transformation rather than being constrained to a single diameter dimension.
2Productivity
If the drain fitting includes a larger inlet than outlet, then flow rate is improved, but flow restrictions occur at the diameter reduction point
Solution Approach 1:
The drain fitting employs curved, sloping interior surfaces forming a conical transition chamber instead of sharp angular transitions. This curved geometry guides water flow smoothly from the larger inlet to the smaller outlet, minimizing turbulence and flow separation that would otherwise occur at abrupt diameter changes. The smooth curvature reduces energy loss and maintains higher flow rates despite the diameter reduction.
3Ease of manufacture
If a standard 1½ inch drain size is used to maintain code compliance, then connection to sewer pipes is simplified, but the draining time increases and user convenience is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The drain fitting is segmented into distinct functional zones: a large-diameter drain shoe section for rapid water collection, a conical transition chamber for smooth flow transformation, and a small-diameter connector section for code-compliant sewer pipe connection. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized for its specific function while working together as an integrated system that achieves both fast draining and easy installation.
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
The design enhances water flow rates from baths and showers, reducing draining times and ensuring compliance with plumbing codes by maximizing inlet size and minimizing obstructions, allowing for efficient water transfer into sewer systems with reduced air entrainment and increased static pressure.
Implementation Method 1
the walls having interior surfaces sloping inwardly between the inlet and outlet
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure provides a drain fitting having a discharge portion comprising a chamber formed by walls extending between and around an inlet and an outlet, the inlet being wider than the outlet or having a greater cross-sectional area than the outlet and the walls having interior surfaces sloping inwardly between the inlet and outlet.