Flush Sink Drain Eliminating Groove for Hygiene
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sink drains create a groove between the rim and the sink base that is difficult to clean, prone to bacterial growth, and aesthetically unappealing, as the drain rim rests on the sink base, creating a visible separation.
Innovation Solution
The design integrates a drain entry portion with a radially extending flange that is welded or attached below the sink base, eliminating the need for a visible rim and allowing the drain to be flush with the sink, with a method that includes forming a sink basin with an integral drain entry portion and attaching a bracket with a lip to secure the flange, ensuring a seamless appearance and easy cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the drain rim rests on the sink base, then the drain can be easily installed, but a groove is created that is difficult to clean and aesthetically unappealing
Solution Approach 1:
The visible rim portion that creates the groove is extracted and eliminated. The drain is designed to extend through the sink base with the rim positioned below the sink surface, removing the source of the groove problem while maintaining the drainage function.
Solution Approach 2:
The drain rim is repositioned from the horizontal plane (resting on the sink base surface) to a lower vertical position (below the sink base surface). This dimensional change eliminates the groove formation while preserving the seal and drainage functionality.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the drain rim rests on the sink base, then the drain can be securely positioned, but a visible separation is created between the drain and sink base
Solution Approach 1:
The visible rim that creates the separation line is extracted from the design. The drain body extends through the base material, and only the functional portions remain visible, eliminating the unsightly separation while maintaining secure positioning through the embedded structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The drain and sink base are merged into a unified appearance where the drain body extends through the base material. This integration creates a seamless look without visible separation lines, while the embedded portion ensures secure positioning.
3Ease of operation
If the drain rim is made larger than the opening, then the drain can be easily installed, but a groove is formed that accumulates debris
Solution Approach 1:
The oversized rim that creates the debris-trapping groove is extracted and replaced with a drain design where the body extends through the base. This eliminates the groove geometry that causes debris accumulation while maintaining easy installation through the through-base mounting approach.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having the rim extend outward from the base surface (creating a groove), the drain body extends inward through the base material. This inverted approach eliminates the groove formation that traps debris while maintaining the sealing and positioning functions.
Data Source
AI summary
Sinks and drains for sinks permitting the attachment of the drain to the sink such that the drain is substantially disposed below the top surface of the sink basin, and such that there is no discernable separation between the base of the sink basin and the drain when viewed from above the sink. A method of making a sink such that there is no discernable separation between the base of the sink basin and the drain when viewed from above the sink.