Drain Insert With Elastic Odor Seal for Dry Siphon Failure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing odor traps in drain areas of domestic installations, such as drain pipes, become ineffective when the water in the siphon evaporates, allowing odors to escape.
Innovation Solution
An insert with a cylindrical design and an outwardly projecting flange, featuring an elastically deformable closing area that opens with water flow pressure, ensuring continuous odor containment without hindering water flow, and is designed to prevent adverse deformations that could impair function.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a water seal siphon is used to prevent odor escape, then odor containment is effective, but the odor trap becomes ineffective when water evaporates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the odor trapping function from the water seal mechanism and implements it through a mechanical closing element that can function independently of water presence. The closing element is integrated into the insert body, separating the odor containment function from the water seal that evaporates.
Solution Approach 2:
The closing element automatically responds to water flow by opening under pressure and self-closes when flow stops, without requiring external control or water seal maintenance. This self-actuating mechanism ensures continuous odor containment regardless of water evaporation.
2Reliability
If a check valve with deformable closure element is clamped between drain line sections, then odor prevention is achieved, but detrimental deformation of the valve occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The insert is divided into distinct functional sections: a closing area with the elastic closing element, a cylindrical area for structural support, and a flange for mounting. This segmentation allows the closing element to remain undeformed while the flange absorbs clamping forces.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the insert have different mechanical properties optimized for their specific functions. The closing area uses elastic material for sealing, while the cylindrical area provides rigid structural support to resist deformation from clamping forces.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the insert is clamped tightly to prevent deformation, then structural stability is improved, but the closing area may still deform and impair function
Solution Approach 1:
The closing area is nested within the protective cylindrical area that extends along the insert body. This nested structure shields the sensitive closing element from external clamping forces applied to the flange, maintaining its functional integrity.
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 insert effectively prevents odor escape from drain lines even when the siphon is dry, maintaining odor containment without obstructing water flow and minimizing deformation-induced functional impairment.
Implementation Method 1
The closing area 3 of the insert 1 comprises a wall section 5, which is elastically deformable
Implementation Method 2
When water flows through the drainpipe, the wall section 5 of the closing area 3 is moved away from the opposite wall 6 by the flowing water
Data Source
Figure 1~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
An insert (1), which can be installed as a trap in the drainage area of a domestic installation, for example in a drainpipe, comprises a cylindrical section (2) with an outwardly projecting flange (4). The insert (1) further comprises a closing section (3) which includes an elastically deformable wall section (5). In the closed position, the wall section (5) of the closing section (3) rests against an opposite wall (6) of the insert (1). The free edge (8) of the wall section (5) rests against the opposite wall (6) from the inside, thus creating a trap. When water flows through the drainpipe, the wall section (5) of the closing section (3) is moved away from the opposite wall (6) by the flowing water, so that the closing section (3) is open.As soon as no more water flows through the insert (1), the wall part (5) of the closing area (3) lies against the opposite wall (6) again, so that the odor seal is maintained.