Floor Drain Fitting Overflow Channel Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing floor drain fittings face challenges in achieving a balance between compact dimensions, reliable odor trap functionality, and high drainage capacity, particularly in limited installation spaces under floor drainage channels.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a pocket-like bulge in the upper housing part to form an overflow channel, with a cup- or beaker-shaped container having projections for secure locking and a rotatable lower housing part for easy alignment with waste water pipes, enhancing drainage capacity and preventing unintentional displacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the cup-shaped container is made rigid with standard dimensions, then the odor trap functionality is reliable, but the container cannot be inserted through the inlet opening and the overall height becomes too large for limited installation spaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveodor trap functionalityVSAvoidinstallation height
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The container is designed with a deformation capability that allows it to change its dimensional parameters. The container can be compressed radially to reduce its diameter for insertion through the inlet opening, then returns to its original shape to provide sufficient sealing water height for reliable odor trap functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Length of moving object

If the container diameter is reduced to fit through the inlet opening, then installation is possible, but the drainage capacity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer diameterVSAvoiddrainage capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The container employs dynamic dimensional change - it is compressed radially during insertion to pass through the inlet opening, then expands back to its full diameter once positioned. This dynamic behavior allows the container to have a larger diameter for adequate drainage capacity while enabling insertion through a smaller opening.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the container is made flexible to enable insertion and removal, then installation and maintenance are easier, but the structural strength and sealing reliability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation easeVSAvoidcontainer strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The container utilizes controlled parameter changes through elastic deformation. The material and structural design allow radial compression for insertion while maintaining sufficient structural integrity. The container returns to its original shape after insertion, preserving its strength and sealing capability for reliable operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Volume of stationary object

If the housing dimensions are reduced for compact installation, then the overall height is reduced, but the available space for the odor trap and drainage channel is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehousing volumeVSAvoidodor trap reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The container with the odor trap is nested within the housing structure. The dip tube extends through the housing wall to connect with the drainage system. This nested arrangement allows the odor trap to be positioned within the compact housing volume while maintaining adequate sealing water height and drainage capacity through the protruding dip tube.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentEP3117047B1Drain fitting for a floor drainage gully, and floor drainage gully having such a drain fitting
Publication Date: 2018.01.31 VIEGA TECHNOLOGY GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3117047B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3117047B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3117047B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a drain fitting for a floor drainage gully, comprising a housing (3) which can be fixed to a drainage opening (2.4) of the floor drainage gully, which housing is formed from a pot-like housing lower part (3.1) and a cover-like housing upper part (3.2), wherein the housing upper part has an inlet opening (3.21) and the housing lower part has an outlet opening (3.11), wherein the inlet opening (3.21) is surrounded by an annular seal (4), wherein the housing (3) has arranged therein an odour trap which has a separately manufactured cup- or bowl-shaped container (9) and an immersion tube (10) projecting into the container, and wherein the immersion tube (10) is held removably on the inlet opening (3.21) of the housing. In order to ensure that such a drain fitting has a reliable odour trap, allows a high drainage capacity and can be implemented with compact circumferential dimensions, so that, in combination with the floor drainage gully, a small overall height is obtained as a whole, the invention provides that a pocket-like protuberance (3.34) is formed into the housing upper part (3.2), which protuberance is arranged outside the seal (4) surrounding the inlet opening (3.21) and projects upwardly beyond the upper edge (3.211) of the inlet opening (3.21), wherein the protuberance (3.34) and an upper edge (9.7) of the cup- or bowl-shaped container (9) define an overflow duct of which part extends above the upper edge (3.211) of the inlet opening (3.21).