One-Touch Drain Trap Assembly for Leak-Safe Pipe Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drain guide devices for sanitary appliances require manual or tool-assisted nut tightening, making it inconvenient and difficult to connect or disconnect inlet and outlet pipes, especially when they are located in isolated areas of the appliance.
Innovation Solution
A drain trap assembly with one-touch joint connections for inlet and outlet pipes, featuring a nut body with a closed ring wall and coupling protrusions, and a second joint with a lock plate and elasticity applying means, allowing for easy and secure pipe connections without the need for separate tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If nuts are used for connecting inlet and outlet pipes to the drain trap, then the connection can be secured, but the operation becomes inconvenient and difficult requiring manual tightening multiple times or tool assistance
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is segmented into a pipe portion with external thread and a drain trap portion with internal thread and groove structure. The groove is divided into a first groove for initial engagement and a second groove for final securing, allowing the connection to be made in distinct stages rather than requiring continuous manual tightening of a traditional nut.
Solution Approach 2:
The drain trap structure incorporates self-aligning features where the groove automatically guides the threaded portion into proper alignment during insertion. The elasticity applying means provides automatic tensioning, and the catch portion with catch groove creates self-locking engagement, eliminating the need for external tools or multiple manual tightening operations.
2Reliability
If traditional nut connections are used, then the pipes can be connected to the drain trap, but the process requires significant time and effort especially in isolated locations
Solution Approach 1:
The thread members are pre-formed on both the pipe and drain trap components during manufacturing. The groove structure is pre-configured with the first and second grooves at specific positions and angles. This preliminary preparation allows the connection to be completed in a single insertion motion without requiring on-site threading operations or multiple adjustment steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The traditional mechanical nut-and-bolt tightening system is replaced with a direct thread engagement system combined with elastic tensioning and geometric interlocking. The elasticity applying means substitutes for manual tightening torque, and the catch portion with catch groove substitutes for threaded fastener engagement, dramatically reducing connection time.
3Ease of operation
If simple insertion connections are used, then connection is quick, but water leakage may occur without proper sealing
Solution Approach 1:
A sealing member is introduced as an intermediary element between the pipe and drain trap components. This sealing member is positioned within the groove structure and engaged by the elasticity applying means, providing reliable water-tight sealing while allowing the overall connection process to remain quick and tool-free.
Solution Approach 2:
The groove is designed with specific curvature and angle characteristics that allow the sealing member to deform and conform to the mating surfaces. The first groove and second groove are positioned at angles that facilitate progressive sealing engagement as the connection is made, ensuring water-tight sealing during the quick insertion 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
Enables rapid and simple connection of pipes to the drain trap, prevents water leakage, minimizes deformation of components, and allows for correct alignment during coupling, improving usability and long-term reliability.
Implementation Method 1
an elasticity applying means 800 to apply elastic force to the lock plate 700 to move the lock plate 700 in a direction in which the through-hole 711 is misaligned from the outlet 33
Data Source
AI summary
A drain trap assembly for sanitary appliances allows a worker to conveniently and swiftly perform assembly for installation and disassembly for maintenance and repair, without use of a separate tool, since a drain trap has a one-touch connection with an inlet pipe and/or an outlet pipe.