Integrated Drain Stopper for Passive Clog Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drain cleaning apparatuses are difficult to use when drain pipes have plugs, such as pop-up stoppers, and chemical cleaners are ineffective for preventing clogs or addressing clogs formed at distal locations like U-joints in drain pipes.
Innovation Solution
A drain cleaner system with a stopper head, conduit, and drain cleaning composition that provides a passive release of cleaning agents into the drain pipe during normal use, allowing for continuous prevention of clogs and precise deployment of additional cleaners to distal clogs through a tube positioned downstream of the U-joint.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional mechanical apparatus or chemical compositions are used for drain cleaning, then clogs can be removed, but the device becomes overly difficult to use when the drain pipe includes a plug
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the stopper and drain cleaner into a single integrated device. The stopper head serves dual purposes: it acts as both a functional stopper for the drain and a delivery mechanism for the drain cleaning composition. This merging eliminates the need to separately remove and reinsert stoppers, greatly simplifying the operation while maintaining effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The stopper head is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a closure device for the drain and as a delivery system for chemical compositions. The inlet passage and outlet port allow the stopper to both block water flow when needed and deliver cleaning agents when required, reducing the number of separate devices needed.
2Ease of operation
If chemical cleaners are introduced near the drain inlet, then they can be easily applied, but they are less effective for removing clogs formed at distal locations such as in or after a U-joint
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs local quality by directing the drain cleaning composition to specific locations within the drain pipe through the conduit system. The composition can be delivered precisely to distal locations such as U-joints where clogs commonly form, rather than being dispersed throughout the entire drain system. This targeted delivery maintains high effectiveness while keeping the application process simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The conduit acts as an intermediary mechanism that bridges the gap between the easy-to-access drain inlet and the hard-to-reach distal clog locations. It transports the cleaning composition from the convenient inlet area directly to the problematic distal areas, ensuring both ease of application and effectiveness.
3Productivity
If stoppers are fully or partially removed prior to inserting drain cleaning apparatus, then the apparatus can be inserted, but the removal and reattachment process is difficult and time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the stopper and drain cleaner into one integrated device, the patent eliminates the need to separately remove and reinsert stoppers. The stopper head remains in place as a functional closure while simultaneously serving as the delivery mechanism for the cleaning composition, saving both time and effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The stopper head is pre-configured with the inlet passage, outlet port, and conduit system before use. This preliminary preparation allows the device to be inserted as a complete unit and begin functioning immediately without requiring intermediate steps of assembly or stopper manipulation during the cleaning process.
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
Facilitates easy and continuous prevention of clogs in drain pipes by automatically releasing cleaning agents during use and allows for precise treatment of clogs at distal locations, reducing the need for user intervention and improving effectiveness compared to traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
a seal sized to engage the drain inlet
Implementation Method 2
various chemical compositions are known which are adapted to disintegrate or dissolve clogs formed in drain pipes
Data Source
AI summary
A drain cleaner is disclosed for use with a drain assembly having a drain pipe, a flange coupled to the drain pipe and defining a drain inlet, and a pop-up assembly having an actuating arm disposed in the drain pipe. The drain cleaner includes a stopper head having a seal sized to engage the drain inlet and an inlet passage extending from an inlet port formed in a top surface of the stopper head to an outlet port formed in a bottom surface of the stopper head. A stopper guide has a proximal end coupled to the stopper head bottom surface and a distal end, the stopper guide distal end including a tail piece adapted to operatively engage the actuating arm of the pop-up assembly. A drain cleaning composition is supported below the stopper head bottom surface.