Elongated Bathtub Drain Plug with Twist-Proof Guide Elements
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drain fittings for bathtubs with circular inlet openings are not suitable for elongated or narrow floor drain openings, lacking a reliable drain plug closing function and adequate drainage capacity.
Innovation Solution
A drain fitting with an oval or elongated inlet opening and a corresponding drain plug, featuring a twist-proof mounting mechanism using shaft-shaped guide and force-transmitting elements, ensures secure closure and high drainage capacity, adapted for non-circular drain openings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional circular drain fittings are used, then the drain plug closing function is reliable, but the drainage capacity is insufficient for elongated or narrow floor drain openings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by changing the drain plug and inlet opening from conventional circular shapes to elongated or oval shapes that match the floor drain opening geometry. This allows the drain plug to effectively seal non-circular openings while maintaining closure reliability and maximizing drainage capacity through the extended surface area.
2Productivity
If the inlet opening is changed to elongated or non-circular shape, then the drainage capacity increases, but the drain plug mounting complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the mounting mechanism into distinct functional elements: a body with the elongated inlet opening, a separately shaped drain plug, and shaft-shaped guide and force transmission elements. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while simplifying the overall assembly process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces shaft-shaped guide and force transmission elements as intermediary components between the lifting mechanism and the drain plug. These intermediaries transmit lifting forces effectively and provide twist-proof mounting without adding significant complexity to the overall system.
3Reliability
If the drain plug is made elongated to match non-circular openings, then the sealing effectiveness improves, but the risk of rotational misalignment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses asymmetry in the shaft-shaped guide and force transmission elements, which have non-circular cross-sections that prevent rotational movement. This asymmetric design ensures the elongated drain plug maintains correct orientation relative to the inlet opening, preventing rotational misalignment while preserving sealing effectiveness.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a drain assembly, in particular for a bathtub, with a drain housing (4) having an inlet opening (2), a liftable and lowerable drain plug (6) for sealing the inlet opening (2), wherein the drain plug (6) is provided on its underside with at least one guide and force transmission element (8), and wherein the drain housing (4) has a lifting mechanism (10) which acts on the guide and force transmission element (8) to lift the drain plug (6).In order for such a drain assembly to be suitable for arrangement on a non-circular, preferably elongated and/or narrow bottom drain opening of a tub, in particular a bathtub (36), and to still offer a high drainage capacity and a reliable drain plug closing function in the case of a narrow bottom drain opening of the tub (36), the invention proposes that the inlet opening (2) of the drain housing (4) has a shape that deviates from a circular inlet opening, preferably a substantially oval, elongated or rectangular shape, wherein the drain plug (6) has a shape corresponding to the shape of the inlet opening (2), and wherein the drain plug (6) is mounted in the drain housing (4) in a rotationally secure manner.