Overflow Pipe Flow Regulator for Adjustable Drain Valve Discharge

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drain valves in toilets lack the ability to regulate drainage speed, requiring users to replace entire models to adjust flow rates, which is inefficient and costly.

Innovation Solution

A drain valve with a flow rate regulator at the lower end of the overflow pipe, allowing for controlled water flow through a defined channel, enabling adjustment by replacing only the flow rate regulator without replacing the entire valve.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the drainage speed of the drain valve is fast, then the flushing effect is good, but the user cannot regulate the drainage speed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrainage speedVSAvoidregulability of drainage speed
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The drain valve is divided into a fixed valve body and a replaceable flow rate regulator assembly. The flow rate regulator can be separated from the valve body and replaced with different models to adjust drainage speed, allowing users to regulate flow rate without replacing the entire valve.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from a static, fixed drainage configuration to a dynamic, adjustable configuration. Users can change the flow rate regulator to different models depending on their flushing needs, making the drainage speed adaptable rather than fixed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the user needs to regulate the drainage speed, then the flushing performance can be adjusted, but the user needs to replace different models of drain valves

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveregulability of drainage speedVSAvoidcost and complexity of valve replacement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The drain valve is segmented into a permanent valve body and a replaceable flow rate regulator. This allows users to change only the regulator component rather than replacing the entire valve assembly, reducing costs and simplifying the adjustment process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flow rate regulator is extracted as a separate, interchangeable component from the valve body. Users can remove the existing regulator and install a different model to adjust drainage speed, eliminating the need to replace the entire valve.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a flow rate regulator is added to the overflow pipe, then the drainage speed can be controlled, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol of drainage speedVSAvoidstructure of drain valve
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flow rate regulator is designed as a separate component that attaches to the overflow pipe, keeping the overall structure modular. This segmentation allows the regulator to be added without significantly complicating the base valve design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flow rate regulator serves multiple functions: it controls drainage speed, can be replaced with different models for different flow rates, and attaches to the existing overflow pipe structure. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing versatile control capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4095322B1Drain valve
Publication Date: 2026.05.06 KOHLER CHINA INVESTMENT
  • EP4095322B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4095322B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4095322B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present application discloses a drain valve, comprising a valve body (1), a valve seat (2) and an overflow pipe (3). The valve seat includes a drainage channel (21). The overflow pipe includes a blocking element (4) and a flow rate regulator (5). When the overflow pipe is in a raised state, the blocking element leaves a channel water inlet (211), the flow rate regulator is partially or completely located above the channel water inlet, and a water flow channel (20) is formed between the flow rate regulator and the channel water inlet. An amount of water entering the drainage channel from the channel water inlet in unit time can be defined by the flow rate regulator, and thus a drainage flow rate can be controlled. If a user needs to change the drainage flow rate, the user only replaces different types of flow rate regulators, without replacing the whole drain valve to save costs.