Pop-up Drain Stopper Linkage Assembly for Narrow Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pop-up drain stopper linkage assemblies are difficult to assemble in narrow spaces and can become loose over time, leading to unreliable operation and maintenance issues.
Innovation Solution
A pop-up drain stopper linkage assembly featuring a lift rod with an engagement part, a connecting bar with an engagement groove and multiple holes, and a pivot rod with fixed portions that can be positioned and adjusted for secure engagement, allowing quick assembly and reliable linkage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a connector with two terminations and screws is used to connect the lift rod and pivot rod, then the linkage can be achieved, but the assembly becomes difficult and time-consuming in narrow spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into an upper connector portion and a lower connector portion that can be assembled separately. The lift rod connects to the upper portion, and the pivot rod connects to the lower portion, allowing step-by-step assembly in narrow spaces without requiring simultaneous manipulation of all components.
Solution Approach 2:
The upper and lower connector portions are designed to fit together through nested insertion. The upper connector portion is inserted into the lower connector portion, creating a compact assembled structure that simplifies the assembly process while maintaining linkage reliability.
2Reliability
If bolts are used to fix the connector, then the connection can be secured, but the bolts may become loose over time or rust and become difficult to remove
Solution Approach 1:
The screw-bolt mechanical fastening system is replaced with a positioning hole and positioning protrusion interlocking system. The positioning protrusions on the connector portions fit into positioning holes, creating a secure connection that cannot loosen over time and can be easily disassembled by simply removing the positioning pins without rusting or threading issues.
3Ease of manufacture
If the lift rod, pivot rod and connector are assembled in narrow spaces under the washbasin, then the installation can be completed, but the assembly process becomes arduous and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is segmented into upper and lower portions that can be pre-assembled with the lift rod and pivot rod separately, then quickly connected together. This reduces the complexity of assembly in narrow spaces and significantly decreases assembly time.
Solution Approach 2:
The upper and lower connector portions are designed with pre-formed positioning holes and positioning protrusions, allowing for quick connection without requiring complex alignment or fastening operations during installation. The positioning features are prepared in advance to guide rapid assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
A pop-up drain stopper linkage assembly includes a lift rod, a connecting bar, a pivot rod and a drain stopper. The bottom end of the lift rod forms an engagement part. The upper end of the connecting bar has an engagement groove for the engagement part of the lift rod being engaged and fixed, and the connecting bar has a plurality of holes spaced apart a distance away from the engagement groove. The second end of the pivot rod connects to the drain stopper and a section adjacent the first end has a plurality of fixed portions for tying in with the hole of the connecting bar, and each of the fixed portions and any one of the holes are capable of being passing through and positioning with each other. Thereby, the pop-up drain stopper linkage assembly can be quickly and conveniently assembled with reliable linking effect.