Drain With Unidirectional Passage Prevents Adhesive Damage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drains with holes in the side walls for leakage water management allow regular water and soap residues to pass through, damaging the adhesive layer between the finishing layer and the floor, leading to potential tile loosening and leakage issues, particularly in sanitary and industrial applications.

Innovation Solution

A unidirectional passage is implemented to allow only external water to flow into the collecting container, blocking existing water and preventing it from passing under the finishing layer, with secondary drainage activated only when leakage occurs, ensuring a sealed floor and reliable discharge of leakage water.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If holes are provided in the side walls of the collecting container for leakage water, then leakage water can enter the collecting container, but water and soap residues pass through and damage the adhesive layer between the finishing layer and the floor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveleakage water dischargeVSAvoidadhesive layer damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The drainage function is segmented into two separate systems: a primary drainage system with holes in the collecting container for active leakage, and a secondary drainage system with unidirectional passages in the connecting part for passive leakage. This segmentation allows each system to serve its specific purpose without interfering with the other, preventing soap residue damage to the adhesive layer while maintaining leakage discharge capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The unidirectional passage acts as an intermediary element between the collecting container and the outlet pipe, providing a protected pathway for leakage water. The unidirectional valve mechanism serves as a mediator that allows water to pass in one direction (from the floor into the collecting container) while blocking reverse flow, thus preventing soap residues from damaging the adhesive layer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the collecting container is partially or wholly filled with drained water during use, then drainage function is maintained, but water passes between the finishing layer and the floor via holes in the side walls

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrainage functionVSAvoidfloor sealing
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The drainage function is segmented into two separate systems: a primary drainage system with holes in the collecting container for active leakage, and a secondary drainage system with unidirectional passages in the connecting part for passive leakage. This segmentation allows each system to serve its specific purpose without interfering with the other, preventing soap residue damage to the adhesive layer while maintaining leakage discharge capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The unidirectional passage acts as an intermediary element between the collecting container and the outlet pipe, providing a protected pathway for leakage water. The unidirectional valve mechanism serves as a mediator that allows water to pass in one direction (from the floor into the collecting container) while blocking reverse flow, thus preventing soap residues from damaging the adhesive layer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If a sealing mastic layer is arranged between the finishing layer and the collecting container, then water permeation is prevented, but the seal may crack or fail over time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseal integrityVSAvoidseal durability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The unidirectional passage system provides a pre-prepared backup drainage pathway that activates only when the sealing mastic layer fails. This beforehand cushioning ensures that even if the seal cracks or fails over time, leakage water can still be discharged through the unidirectional passage, preventing water damage to the adhesive layer while maintaining seal integrity during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The unidirectional passage acts as an intermediary element between the collecting container and the outlet pipe, providing a protected pathway for leakage water. The unidirectional valve mechanism serves as a mediator that allows water to pass in one direction (from the floor into the collecting container) while blocking reverse flow, thus preventing soap residues from damaging the adhesive layer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 maintains a watertight finishing layer during normal use, preventing water and soap residue damage, and ensures reliable leakage water discharge only when necessary, thus extending the lifespan of the floor and preventing tile loosening.

Implementation Method 1

By providing a unidirectional passage only water from outside can flow into the collecting container. Water already present in the collecting container is blocked by the unidirectional passage.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUnidirectional flow control: Valve

Data Source

PatentEP3406813B1Drain with unidirectional drainage
Publication Date: 2020.09.02 EASY SANITAIRY SOLUTIONS BV
  • EP3406813B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3406813B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3406813B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a drain, such as a drain hole or drain channel, comprising: - a collecting container for collecting water, wherein the collecting container has an outflow on the underside; - a connecting part for connecting the outflow to an outlet pipe; wherein the connecting part is provided with a unidirectional passage for admitting water from outside inward into the connecting part. The invention further relates to a method for arranging a drain according to the invention in a floor.