Drain Plug Centering Wings and Notched Adjustment Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drain plugs for wash basins and bathtubs tend to unscrew due to water vortex, requiring frequent adjustments and often incline unattractively when open, leading to inadequate water flow and aesthetic issues.
Innovation Solution
A plug design featuring centering wings with an adjustment element, such as an adjustment pin with circumferential raised portions, that allows for tool-free height adjustment and remains vertically positioned, preventing unwanted removal and ensuring optimal water flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a screw and lock nut are used to adjust the height of the drain plug, then the height adjustment is achievable, but the plug tends to unscrew over time due to water vortex, requiring frequent intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism is divided into discrete notched positions on the adjustment element, allowing the plug height to be segmented into specific predetermined levels. This segmentation prevents continuous rotation and unscrewing while maintaining adjustable height functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
A centering wing is introduced as an intermediary component between the adjustment element and the plug body. This centering wing guides the adjustment element into proper alignment and maintains it in the correct position, preventing unwanted rotation and unscrewing caused by water vortex.
2Ease of operation
If the plug is allowed to move freely when open, then ease of operation is improved, but the plug inclines to one side and remains in an unattractive position
Solution Approach 1:
The centering wing acts as a mediator that guides and constrains the adjustment element, ensuring it always returns to and remains in the vertical centered position. This prevents the plug from inclining to one side while still allowing it to move freely for operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The centering wing creates a centered, equipotential position for the adjustment element, making the vertical position the most stable and natural resting position. This ensures aesthetic appearance while maintaining operational freedom.
3Ease of operation
If the adjustment element allows free rotation, then ease of adjustment is improved, but the plug can be removed from the drain when not allowed
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment element features notched positions that provide discrete adjustment levels while preventing complete rotation. The notches allow easy adjustment to specific positions but block the plug from being fully removed from the drain.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment element and receiving structure have asymmetric features including the centering wing and notched positions. This asymmetry allows insertion and adjustment in one direction while preventing removal in the opposite direction, ensuring security when not allowed.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A plug for drains with facilitated adjustment, which comprises a plug body (1) which is adapted to be inserted into a hole of a drain, the body (1) being provided with a plurality of centering wings (3), an adjustment element (5) being provided for coupling with the plug body (1); the centering wings (3) define an opening (4) between them for the accomodation of the adjustment element (5), the adjustment element (5) being provided with a shank (8) which is provided with circumferential raised portions (9) that are adapted to mesh in complementary circumferential slots (17) defined in the opening (4), the opening allowing the insertion of the adjustment element (5) in an inclined position and its subsequent straightening to a vertical position along the axis of the plug body (1).