Drain plug device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drain plug devices for tanks face issues with protrusion interfering with peripheral equipment, aesthetics, safety, and draining efficiency, as well as difficulties in cleaning and manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A drain plug device with a pivotable operation handle that adjusts its protrusion based on the drain port's open or closed state, featuring a handle moving mechanism that reduces protrusion when the drain port is open to enhance convenience and safety, and increases it when closed to maintain draining efficiency, along with a pivoting range regulation mechanism to prevent over-rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the operation handle (cover rosette) is made to protrude largely from the sidewall of the tank, then the gap between the operation handle and the sidewall is increased improving draining efficiency at the overflow port side, but the operation handle interferes with the use of peripheral equipment such as a shower, reduces aesthetic appearance, and creates safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The operation handle is designed to dynamically change its protrusion distance from the sidewall based on the drain port state. When the drain port is closed, the handle protrudes farther to create a larger gap for overflow drainage. When the drain port is open, the handle retracts to minimize protrusion and avoid interfering with peripheral equipment like shower hoses. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between draining efficiency and ease of operation.
2Productivity
If the operation handle is made to protrude largely from the sidewall of the tank, then the gap between the operation handle and the sidewall is increased improving draining efficiency, but the operation handle creates safety hazards and reduces aesthetic appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The operation handle dynamically adjusts its protrusion distance based on the drain port state. When the drain port is open, the handle retracts to minimize protrusion, eliminating safety hazards associated with a largely protruding handle. When the drain port is closed, the handle extends to maintain adequate gap for overflow drainage. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between draining efficiency and safety.
3Ease of operation
If the operation handle is made to protrude minimally from the sidewall of the tank, then the convenience of using peripheral equipment is improved and aesthetic appearance is enhanced, but the gap between the operation handle and the sidewall is reduced insufficient for draining efficiency at the overflow port side
Solution Approach 1:
The operation handle is designed to extend to a larger protrusion distance when the drain port is closed, thereby creating sufficient gap for efficient overflow drainage. When the drain port is open, the handle retracts to minimize protrusion, improving convenience for using peripheral equipment and enhancing aesthetic appearance. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between convenience/aesthetics and draining efficiency.
4Ease of operation
If the operation handle is made to protrude minimally from the sidewall of the tank, then the aesthetic appearance is improved and safety hazards are reduced, but the gap between the operation handle and the sidewall is reduced making it difficult to clean the portion located between the operation handle and the sidewall
Solution Approach 1:
The operation handle extends to a larger protrusion distance when the drain port is closed, creating sufficient gap between the handle and sidewall that allows for easy cleaning of the region therebetween. When the drain port is open, the handle retracts to minimize protrusion, improving aesthetic appearance. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between aesthetics and cleaning easiness.
Data Source
AI summary
A drain plug device is provided with a plug lid, a mounting member inserted in an overflow port, an operation handle provided corresponding to an opening of the mounting member at one end thereof so as to protrude from a surface of a sidewall, a transmission member configured to transmit a driving force generated by a pivoting operation of the operation handle to the plug lid side, and a handle moving mechanism capable of moving the operation handle. The handle moving mechanism is configured to make an amount of protrusion of the operation handle with respect to the surface of the sidewall when the drain port is open smaller than an amount of protrusion of the operation handle with respect to the surface of the sidewall when the drain port is closed. Whereby a good draining efficiency at the overflow port side is secured when draining is performed therethrough.