Modular Drain Fitting Base Body with Interchangeable Trigger Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drain fittings for cisterns require complex manufacturing due to different installation requirements, necessitating various tools for different configurations, and lack adaptability to different geometries and triggering mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A modular drain fitting kit with a base body and adjustable trigger modules for mechanical, pneumatic, electrical, and cable releases, allowing for flexible configuration and attachment via positioning means that can be aligned in three axes, enabling compatibility with various cistern geometries and triggering methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If drain fittings are specially manufactured to suit various installation situations with different triggering mechanisms, then adaptability to different cistern geometries and triggering methods is improved, but manufacturing effort and device complexity increase due to requiring different tooling for each design
Solution Approach 1:
The drain fitting base body is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate multiple types of trigger modules (mechanical lever release, single-cable release, double-cable release, pneumatic release, electrical release, and stop release). This multi-functional design allows a single base body to serve different installation situations without requiring special manufacturing for each configuration, thereby improving adaptability while maintaining ease of manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The drain fitting system is divided into separate modular components: a standardized base body and interchangeable trigger modules. Each trigger module is designed as an independent unit that can be selectively attached to the base body. This segmentation allows the manufacturer to produce standardized base bodies in large quantities using the same tooling, while offering various trigger module options, thus reducing overall manufacturing effort while maintaining high adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If different trigger modules are designed for different triggering mechanisms, then versatility of triggering methods is improved, but device complexity increases due to having multiple different components
Solution Approach 1:
The base body incorporates universal mounting features and connection interfaces that can accommodate multiple types of trigger modules. This design allows the same base body to support mechanical, pneumatic, electrical, and cable-based triggering mechanisms through standardized attachment points, thereby achieving versatility without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the common functional elements of different triggering mechanisms into a single standardized base body design. The base body integrates the valve pipe, sealing element, housing, and positioning means as shared components, while only the trigger-specific elements vary between module types. This merging approach reduces overall system complexity by eliminating redundant components that would otherwise be needed for each triggering mechanism type.
3Manufacturing precision
If custom drain fittings are manufactured for specific installation situations, then precision of fit for specific geometries is improved, but loss of time increases due to requiring multiple specialized designs and tooling setups
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the customization requirement into two parts: a standardized base body that requires no customization, and interchangeable trigger modules that are selected based on specific installation needs. This segmentation allows the majority of the component (the base body) to be manufactured once with high precision using the same tooling, while only the smaller trigger modules need to be varied, significantly reducing manufacturing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The base body is pre-designed and pre-manufactured with standardized mounting features, connection points, and positioning means that can accommodate various trigger modules. This preliminary preparation of the base body with universal interfaces eliminates the need for custom manufacturing for each installation situation, thereby maintaining manufacturing precision while reducing the time required for production and installation.
Data Source
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AI summary
The system has an outlet fitting base body (1) designed as a valve pipe i.e. overflow pipe, and an outlet valve comprising a sealing element arranged at a lower end of the body. A housing encloses the valve pipe, where flushing process is activated through lifting of the valve pipe. The body is connected with releasing modules (250, 300) by a connection unit for modularly forming an outlet fitting (610). The releasing modules are designed as mechanical releasing module, pneumatic releasing module, cable releasing module and stop-releasing module.