Flexible Drain Line Assembly with Retainer Trap
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drain line assemblies fail to seamlessly connect sinks to waste lines while effectively preventing gas passage, leading to inefficiencies in waste water drainage and gas retention.
Innovation Solution
A flexible tube with a curved section and a retainer to form a trap, coupled with a sleeve and hose clamps for fluidic connection to the waste line and sink, which retains liquid to deter gas passage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a flexible tube is used to connect the sink to the waste line, then the ease of installation and positioning is improved, but the ability to effectively prevent gas passage deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The drain line is divided into multiple sections: a flexible tube section for easy installation and positioning, and a rigid trap section for effective gas prevention. The retainer assembly further segments the trap into a body portion and a cover portion with a seal, creating distinct functional zones that address both flexibility and gas-tight requirements simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the drain line have different properties: the tube is flexible to allow easy installation and positioning, while the trap portion is rigid to maintain structural integrity and prevent gas passage. The seal member is placed specifically at the interface where gas prevention is most critical, applying local quality enhancement without compromising overall flexibility.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a trap is added to retain liquid and prevent gas passage, then gas retention is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer assembly merges multiple functions into a single integrated component: it provides structural support for the trap, creates the liquid seal through the seal member, and prevents gas passage. The cover portion integrates a vent hole that serves both ventilation and gas prevention functions, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining effective gas retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal member acts as an intermediary element between the trap body and cover, creating the liquid seal that prevents gas passage. This intermediary component is simple in design but critical in function, allowing the trap to achieve gas retention without complex mechanical structures.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the tube is made flexible to allow positioning, then adaptability is improved, but the structural stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The drain line system is segmented into flexible and rigid portions. The flexible tube allows adaptability for positioning and connection, while the rigid trap body and retainer assembly provide structural stability. This segmentation enables each component to optimize its properties without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
Flexibility is applied locally to the tube section where adaptability is needed for installation and positioning, while structural stability is maintained in the trap and retainer sections where gas prevention and liquid retention are critical. The retainer assembly's rigid structure provides stable support for the flexible tube.
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 efficient drainage of waste water from the sink to the waste line while preventing gas passage, ensuring a secure and effective connection between the sink and waste line.
Implementation Method 1
A section of the tube that is positioned proximate to the first end is configured to be curvedly bent below the waste line
Implementation Method 2
The tube is flexible to position the first end proximate to the waste line and the second end proximate to the tailpiece
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible drain line assembly for seamlessly connecting a sink to a waste line includes a tube that has a first end and a second end. The first end and the second end are configured to fluidically couple to a waste line and a tailpiece of a sink, respectively. The tube is configured to drain waste water from the sink to the waste line. The tube is flexible to position the first end proximate to the waste line and the second end proximate to the tailpiece. A section of the tube that is positioned proximate to the first end is configured to be curvedly bent below the waste line. A retainer is configured to couple to the tube to fixedly position the section of the tube to defines a trap. The trap is configured to retain liquid to deter passage of gas from the waste line to the sink.