Floor Drain Trap Plug Sealing Against Fire and Gas Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fire protection systems in drains, such as those using intumescent materials or cartridges, can fail to provide a secure seal due to foreign bodies or high gas pressure, leading to incomplete fire containment.
Innovation Solution
A drain design featuring a drain pot with an odor trap and a fire protection device using intumescent material between a sealing plug and the odor trap pot, where the plug is pressed against the outlet opening by expanding intumescent material to create a tight seal, with all components preferably made of non-combustible stainless steel, and an annular arrangement of intumescent material for sealing and fixing the odor trap socket, eliminating the need for separate sealing materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sealing plug with intumescent material is used to close the odor trap, then fire protection is improved, but foreign bodies can impede the expansion and compromise the seal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state and properties of the intumescent material by specifying particular expansion characteristics and composition parameters. The intumescent material is formulated to expand reliably despite the presence of foreign bodies, transforming its physical properties in response to heat while maintaining sealing effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining the sealing plug, intumescent material, and odor trap components into an integrated assembly. This composite structure ensures that the intumescent material works in conjunction with the sealing plug geometry to achieve reliable fire sealing even when foreign bodies are present in the drain pot.
2Reliability
If a cartridge or sleeve fire protection device is used, then fire containment is improved, but high gas pressure can cause the shut-off to fail
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs curved and tapered geometries in the sealing plug and odor trap socket interface. The tapered configuration allows the expanding intumescent material to generate radial pressure that effectively seals against the socket walls, distributing the force to resist high gas pressure more effectively than a straight cylindrical configuration would.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent specifies particular expansion parameters and mechanical properties for the intumescent material that enable it to generate sufficient pressure to counteract high gas pressures. The material is formulated to undergo controlled expansion that creates a sealing force capable of withstanding the stress from gas pressure while maintaining fire containment.
3Reliability
If separate sealing materials are used in addition to the fire protection device, then sealing reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sealing function and fire protection function into a single integrated system. The intumescent material is incorporated directly into the sealing plug assembly that interfaces with the odor trap socket, combining what would traditionally be separate sealing materials and fire protection devices into one unified component system.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing plug assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the mechanical seal interface, contains the fire-responding intumescent material, and creates the fire barrier. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate sealing materials while maintaining both sealing reliability and fire protection effectiveness.
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 solution ensures a secure and permanent seal, enhancing fire protection by forming a single unit that effectively blocks hot gases and odors, providing increased security and reliability compared to previous systems.
Implementation Method 1
intumescent material being provided between the sealing plug and the odor trap pot in such a way that the sealing plug is pressed against the outlet opening of the odor trap socket by expanding intumescent material in the event of a fire, closing it
Implementation Method 2
an annular arrangement of intumescent material for sealing and fixing the odor trap socket, eliminating the need for separate sealing materials
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
Drains, in particular floor drains, comprising a drain body (10) that has a connection (40), to which a waste water line can be connected, are known. An drain trap is provided, which has a drain trap stub (20), which has an upper end (21), which has an inlet opening (22) and a lower outlet opening (23), which protrudes into a drain trap body (30) that is open at the top. The drain trap body is designed to form a drain trap reservoir. A fire protection device for closing the drain trap in the event of a fire by means of intumescent material is provided. In order to increase the stability and durability of the assembly, it is proposed that a trap plug (40) is provided in the drain trap body (30) and intumescent material (1) is provided between the trap plug (40) and the drain trap body (30) in such a way that, in the event of a fire, the trap plug (40) is pressed against the outlet opening (23) of the drain trap stub (20) by expanding intumescent material (1) and thus closes the outlet opening of the drain trap stub.