Drain with Overflow Channel Above Inflow Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drains for kitchen sinks and shower trays require significant space due to the air trap's height, which is necessary for airtight sealing and odor prevention, making them too deep and not suitable for all installations where space is limited.
Innovation Solution
The drain design repositions the overflow channel above the inflow opening, reducing the overall depth by placing the space required for the air trap above the inflow, and incorporates an elongate inflow opening and U-shaped gutter to maintain sealing while minimizing height, with the overflow channel integrated into the upper edge and concealed by a grating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the air trap height is increased to ensure airtight sealing and odor prevention, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the overall depth of the drain increases
Solution Approach 1:
The overflow channel is repositioned from a vertical arrangement below the inflow opening to a horizontal arrangement above the inflow opening. This dimensional change allows the air trap to extend in the horizontal direction rather than increasing vertical depth, resolving the contradiction between sealing reliability and overall depth.
2Reliability
If the overflow channel is positioned below the inflow opening as in conventional drains, then the sealing function is achieved, but the drain requires excessive vertical space
Solution Approach 1:
The conventional arrangement is inverted by positioning the overflow channel above the inflow opening rather than below it. This inversion maintains the sealing function through the air trap while eliminating the need for excessive vertical space below the inflow opening.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the drain is made flatter to reduce overall depth, then the adaptability to space-constrained installations is improved, but the air trap volume may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The air trap is reconfigured from a vertical volume to a horizontal volume by extending the overflow channel above the inflow opening. This allows the air trap to maintain sufficient volume for sealing while keeping the drain profile flat for adaptability to space-constrained installations.
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
This design allows for a flatter and more compact drain installation, maintaining effective sealing and odor prevention while accommodating space constraints, such as in shower trays, with a reduced overall depth and concealed appearance.
Implementation Method 1
The air trap of a drain has the purpose of airtight sealing of the connection to the sewer system, in particular the outlet pipe, while a liquid flow can nevertheless flow from the drain to the outlet pipe
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a drain for discharge of a liquid, in particular water, to for instance an outlet pipe, which drain comprises an inflow opening, an outflow opening for connecting to an outlet pipe and an air trap arranged between the inflow opening and the outflow opening, which air trap comprises a reservoir open on the top side for collecting liquid flowing along the inflow opening and at least one overflow channel running over the top side out of the reservoir for discharging liquid from the reservoir to the outflow opening, wherein a part of the overflow channel is at a higher position than the inflow opening of the drain. The invention further relates to a gutter comprising an elongate receptacle of substantially U-shaped cross-section and a drain according to any of the foregoing claims arranged in the bottom of the U-shaped receptacle, wherein the inflow opening of the drain lies substantially flush with the bottom of the receptacle.