Easy drain installation assembly for bath or shower
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of bathtub drains is challenging, especially for heavy bathtubs, as it requires access to the underside and often necessitates lifting, which can be difficult for a single person and may damage components due to large moment forces.
Innovation Solution
A drain assembly with an expanding mechanism that allows installation from the top side of the bathtub, using a lattice body and fasteners to apply axial force to flanges, enabling alignment and sealing without lifting the bathtub, thus reducing the need for manual lifting and minimizing damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the bathtub is lifted to install the drain from the underside, then the drain can be installed, but heavy bathtubs require more than two people and may cause damage due to large moment forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional installation approach by installing the drain from the top side of the bathtub instead of the underside. The drain body is inserted through the drain opening from above, and the expanding assembly is actuated from the top to expand the flanges against the underside of the bathtub, eliminating the need to lift the heavy bathtub.
Solution Approach 2:
The drain assembly is pre-assembled with the expanding mechanism before installation. The lattice body and flanges are prepared in advance, allowing the installer to simply insert the drain body through the opening and actuate the expansion mechanism from the top, rather than attempting to attach components from the underside after lifting the bathtub.
2Ease of manufacture
If the bathtub is lifted for drain installation, then the drain can be installed, but the installer loses tactile feedback for correct alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent provides tactile feedback during installation by allowing the installer to feel the engagement of the flanges against the bathtub underside through the expanding mechanism. As the fastener actuates the expanding assembly, the installer can sense when the flanges are properly positioned and pressed against the bathtub, ensuring correct alignment without lifting the tub.
3Ease of manufacture
If the drain is installed from the underside, then the drain can be attached, but sealing components may be damaged due to large moment forces
Solution Approach 1:
By inverting the installation direction and expanding the flanges from the top, the patent eliminates the large moment forces that occur when attaching drains from the underside. The expanding assembly applies axial force to press the flanges against the bathtub, creating compression rather than bending moments, which protects sealing components from damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The expanding assembly is designed to gradually press the flanges against the bathtub underside, providing a cushioning effect that prevents sudden impact forces. The lattice body expands in a controlled manner, distributing the force evenly and protecting the sealing components from shock loads during installation.
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 easier and safer installation of bathtub drains by eliminating the need for underside access and reducing the risk of damage during alignment, improving the installer's feel for correct alignment and extending the longevity of sealing components.
Implementation Method 1
The fastener is configured to be adjusted relative to the lattice body such that the expanding assembly applies an axial force to the first flange and the second flange
Data Source
AI summary
A drain assembly includes a drain body and an expanding assembly. The drain body includes a first flange and a second flange that each extend away from an inner surface of the drain body towards a center of the drain body. The expanding assembly is positionable within the drain body between the first flange and the second flange. The expanding assembly includes a lattice body. The lattice body can be adjusted relative to the drain body such that the expanding assembly applies an axial force to the first flange and the second flange.