Flexible Drain Pipe Trap Assembly for Easy Cleaning Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drain pipe systems lack easy access for cleaning and maintenance, often trap debris, and are not adaptable to various fixture dimensions, leading to clogging and repair challenges.
Innovation Solution
A flexible drain pipe assembly with a retainer that forms a trap by creating a U-shaped bend, allowing for easy assembly, disassembly, and replacement, featuring a flexible pipe with convolutions for sealing and antimicrobial properties, and adjustable retainer configurations for different plumbing setups.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional rigid trap is used, then the trap can effectively seal and prevent gas backflow, but it is difficult to access for cleaning and maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The drain pipe assembly is divided into modular sections including the flexible pipe, retainer, and trap components that can be independently accessed and removed. This segmentation allows the trap to maintain its sealing function while enabling easy access for cleaning by disconnecting and removing the flexible pipe section containing the trap.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible pipe incorporates a dynamic trap design that can be easily disconnected and reconnected. The flexible nature of the pipe allows the trap to be accessed, removed for cleaning, and reinstalled without requiring complex disassembly, thus maintaining reliability while improving ease of operation.
2Reliability
If a fixed-size trap is installed, then it can provide a liquid seal, but it cannot adapt to various fixture dimensions and architectures
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible pipe allows for parameter changes in terms of bending radius, angle, and configuration to adapt to different fixture dimensions and architectural requirements. The pipe can be bent and shaped to create the necessary trap configuration while maintaining the liquid seal, providing both reliability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible pipe provides a dynamic solution that can be configured in various shapes and angles to adapt to different installation spaces and fixture dimensions. This dynamic configurability allows the trap to maintain its sealing function across diverse applications without requiring multiple fixed-size components.
3Stability of the object's composition
If rigid pipe connections are used, then the structure is stable, but there are more leak points and harder to assemble/disassemble
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible pipe replaces rigid pipe sections with a flexible hose that can be easily connected and disconnected. This flexible component maintains structural stability through proper connection fittings while enabling easy assembly and disassembly for repair and maintenance, directly addressing the contradiction between stability and ease of repair.
4Reliability
If the trap is deeply embedded in the plumbing system, then it provides effective gas sealing, but it is difficult to access and clean
Solution Approach 1:
The trap is integrated into a segmented flexible pipe assembly that can be easily disconnected as a unit. This segmentation allows the trap to remain in its effective sealing position within the plumbing system while enabling easy access for maintenance by simply disconnecting the flexible pipe section containing the trap.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible pipe assembly provides a dynamic solution where the trap can be positioned effectively within the plumbing system for gas sealing while maintaining accessibility. The flexible connection allows the trap to be reached and accessed for cleaning without requiring extensive disassembly of the entire plumbing system.
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 flexible drain pipe assembly provides improved access for cleaning, reduces clogging, and adapts to various fixtures and architectures, offering self-plunging capabilities and fewer leak points with enhanced sealing and antimicrobial properties.
Implementation Method 1
The first female threaded connector is configured to form a seal when the one of the convolutions received therein is proximate the first end of the first flexible pipe and the first female threaded connector is threadably coupled to a first male threaded coupling
Implementation Method 2
a trap is a device which has a shape that uses a bending path to capture water and prevent sewer gases from entering buildings
Implementation Method 3
This retained liquid in the trap creates a seal that prevents gas, such as sewer gas, from passing through the drain pipe back into an occupied space of a building
Data Source
AI summary
Drain pipe assemblies are provide that include a first flexible pipe having a first end, a second end, and a plurality of convolutions formed therein. A first female threaded connector is is provided that is configured to receive one of the convolutions of the first flexible pipe therein. In this way, the first female threaded connector can form a seal when the one of the convolutions received therein is proximate the first end of the first flexible pipe and the first female threaded connector is threadably coupled to a first male threaded coupling. A retainer is provided that is configured to dispose a portion of the flexible pipe therethrough to form and retain a trap in the first flexible pipe. Methods of installing and using such drain pipe assemblies are also provided.