Pressure-Actuated Drain Plug Sealing on Rough Waste Outlets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sanitary fixture waste outlet closure devices are hindered by imperfect sealing due to rough inner drain surfaces, protruding plugs that obstruct or aesthetically detract, and the inability to position overflow holes near the flange, particularly in low-height washbasins.
Innovation Solution
A device for closing and opening a sanitary fixture waste outlet by pressure, featuring a hemispherical cage-like element with a gasket that seals independently of the drain's inner surface quality, allowing for perfect sealing without direct contact and accommodating various drain types, including those with reduced vertical extensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the gasket directly contacts the drain inner surface to achieve sealing, then sealing effectiveness improves, but the sealing quality deteriorates when the drain surface is rough or imperfect
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a smooth inner surface (211) on the drain body that serves as an intermediary sealing surface. Instead of the gasket contacting the potentially rough drain surface directly, it contacts this specially created smooth surface, which acts as a mediator to ensure reliable sealing regardless of the original drain surface quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies a different surface quality to a specific local area - the inner surface (211) of the drain body is finished to be absolutely smooth, while the rest of the drain may have standard finishing. This localized high-quality surface ensures sealing effectiveness without requiring the entire drain to be perfectly finished.
2Ease of operation
If the closing plug protrudes above the drain body to allow easy operation, then ease of operation improves, but aesthetic appearance deteriorates and it may cause obstruction in shower applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spatial dimension of the plug by providing a recess (204) in the drain body that accommodates the closing plug when in the closed position. This allows the plug to be positioned below the drain body surface level, eliminating protrusion while maintaining operational accessibility through the recessed space.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the drain has standard vertical extension to accommodate overflow holes, then functionality improves, but adaptability to low-height washbasins deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the recess (204) dimension vertically to position overflow holes at different levels. The recess creates additional vertical space that allows overflow holes to be positioned near the flange area, enabling adaptation to low-height washbasins where standard drain configurations would not accommodate proper overflow positioning.
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 solution achieves a constant, long-lasting perfect seal without special maintenance, is easily installable and removable for cleaning, and allows for the positioning of overflow holes near the flange, even in low-height washbasins, enhancing both functionality and aesthetics.
Implementation Method 1
a gasket (40) arranged peripherally at a tubular wall (110) of said hollow tubular body (101) so as to be able to abut against a smooth inner surface (313) of said hemispherical cage-like element (30) to hydraulically close said waste outlet (S)
Implementation Method 2
a spring (5) housed inside said hemispherical cage-like element (30) and pushing said hollow tubular body (101) to leave said waste outlet (S) in the open position
Data Source
AI summary
A device for closing and opening by pressure the waste outlet of a sanitary fixture adapted to be housed inside a drain includes a hollow tubular body configured to be associated integrally with a plug, and a stem at least partially housed inside the hollow tubular body. A hemispherical, cage-shaped element with a plurality of arms houses the hollow tubular body and the stem, and an upper annular base faces the plug and a lower annular base to which a free end of the stem is connected, An annular gasket is fitted externally on the tubular wall of the hollow tubular body and is adapted to be positioned in abutment against the inner wall of the upper annular base to hermetically close the entrance of the drain, when the device is housed sealingly in the drain and the hollow tubular body is in the closed position.