Drain Seal Component for Misaligned Pipe Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of floor drains is challenging due to limited access and visibility when attaching the drain body to the drain pipe, often resulting in improper connections and leaks, especially when the pipe is angled or misaligned with the subfloor.
Innovation Solution
A drain system with a seal component that allows for angular movement between the drain body and pipe member, featuring sealing fins and a curvature interface, enabling quick and reliable attachment without adhesives and accommodating variations in angular relationships, thus forming a watertight seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional adhesive attachment methods are used to connect drain body to pipe member, then connection strength can be achieved, but installation complexity and time increase due to limited access and visibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical adhesive bonding with a mechanical locking system. The seal component features an outer surface with a curvature that interfaces with a corresponding curvature on the drain body, allowing rotational movement and self-alignment. The inner surface includes sealing fins that engage with the pipe member through friction and mechanical interlocking, eliminating the need for adhesives and simplifying installation despite limited access.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic adjustment capabilities through angular movement interfaces. The outer surface curvature allows first angular movement between the seal component and drain body, while the inner surface allows second angular movement between the seal component and pipe member. This dynamic capability enables the system to self-align and accommodate installation variations without requiring precise pre-alignment or complex positioning procedures.
2Stability of the object's composition
If rigid fixed-angle connection is used between drain body and pipe member, then structural stability is maintained, but adaptability to angular variations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the rigid fixed-angle connection into a dynamic system with two independent angular movement interfaces. The outer surface curvature enables first angular movement for aligning the drain body with the seal component, while the inner surface enables second angular movement for accommodating pipe member angle variations. This dynamic design maintains structural stability through friction-based sealing fins while providing adaptability to various angular configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the angular parameters of the connection system by allowing variable angular relationships between components. The curvature interfaces permit rotation and angular adjustment, enabling the system to adapt to different pipe angles and installation conditions while maintaining a stable, leak-free connection through the friction engagement of sealing fins.
3Reliability
If precise alignment procedures are implemented during installation, then sealing reliability improves, but installation time and difficulty increase due to confined workspace
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates preliminary alignment features in the form of curvature interfaces that self-align during the insertion process. The outer surface curvature and corresponding curvature on the drain body automatically guide and align the components as they are brought together, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual alignment procedures in the confined installation space.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-alignment and self-sealing functions. The curvature interfaces enable automatic angular adjustment and alignment as components are assembled, while the sealing fins automatically engage with the pipe member through friction-based mechanical interlocking. This self-service capability ensures reliable sealing without requiring precise manual alignment or complex positioning procedures by the installer.
4Reliability
If adhesive-based attachment is used, then watertight seal can be achieved, but installation simplicity deteriorates due to requirement for precise positioning and alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces adhesive-based sealing with a mechanical friction-based sealing system. The inner surface includes sealing fins that engage with the pipe member through friction and mechanical interlocking, providing a watertight seal without requiring adhesives. This mechanical system is simpler to install as it does not require precise positioning, surface preparation, or curing time associated with adhesive applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic angular movement capability allows the seal component to self-align with both the drain body and pipe member during installation. The curvature interfaces enable rotational adjustment, ensuring proper engagement of the sealing fins with the pipe member without requiring precise pre-alignment or positioning procedures, thereby simplifying the installation process while maintaining seal integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
A drain system includes a drain body attachable to a subfloor and configured for attachment to a pipe member below the subfloor. A seal component is positionable between the drain body and the pipe member and is arranged to form a seal therebetween. The seal component has a body including open upper and lower ends defining an opening therethrough for receiving a portion of the pipe member. An outer surface of the body defines an interface between the seal component and the drain body arranged to permit a first angular movement between the seal component and the drain body. An inner surface defines an interface between the seal component and the pipe member and is arranged to seal and permit a second angular movement between the seal component and the pipe member, wherein the second angular movement is different than the first angular movement.