Modular Drain Assembly for Pod Room Plumbing Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge lies in installing a drain for a modular bathroom after the bathroom has been assembled within a structure, as existing methods do not efficiently align the drain with the building's plumbing system without compromising the modular unit's stability.
Innovation Solution
A method and drain assembly are introduced where the modular room is positioned on a building floor with the drain body spaced above the floor. The drain body is aligned with the building's plumbing pipe, and the modular room is coupled to the building to prevent movement. An outlet is inserted through the drain body, extending below its lower surface to connect with the plumbing pipe.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the drain body is positioned in the aperture of the modular room floor, then the drain is ready for installation, but the drain body cannot be aligned with the building's plumbing pipe after the modular room is installed
Solution Approach 1:
The drain assembly is divided into separate components: the drain body integrated into the modular room floor, and the outlet inserted through the drain body after installation. This segmentation allows the modular room to be manufactured with the drain body positioned correctly, while the outlet can be adjusted post-installation to align with the building's plumbing pipe.
Solution Approach 2:
The drain body is pre-positioned in the aperture during modular room manufacturing, preparing the assembly for future installation. The outlet is designed to be inserted through the drain body after the modular room is installed in the building, allowing alignment with the building's plumbing infrastructure to be achieved in the correct sequence.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the outlet is inserted through the drain body after installation, then alignment with plumbing is achieved, but the modular room's stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet is inserted through the drain body, with the outlet's elongated body passing through the drain body's aperture. This nested configuration allows the outlet to be securely positioned within the drain body while maintaining the integrity of the modular room floor structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The drain body serves as an intermediary component between the modular room floor and the building's plumbing pipe. It provides a stable mounting point within the modular room while allowing the outlet to extend through to connect with the building's plumbing infrastructure.
3Shape
If the drain body does not extend beyond the floor surface, then the modular room maintains a clean finish, but the outlet cannot reach the building's plumbing pipe
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet is designed with an elongated body that extends in the vertical dimension through the drain body and below the floor's lower surface. This allows the outlet to reach the building's plumbing pipe while the drain body itself remains flush with the floor surface, maintaining a clean finish.
Solution Approach 2:
The outlet is designed to be insertable and removable through the drain body, providing dynamic adaptability for installation and maintenance. The outlet's elongated configuration allows it to extend beyond the static drain body to reach the plumbing pipe.
Data Source
AI summary
A drain assembly for installation in a shower floor, the drain assembly including a drain body including an upper surface defining a top side, and a lower surface opposite the upper surface defining a bottom side. The drain assembly also defines an aperture extending along an axis through the drain body between the upper surface and the lower surface and includes an outlet having a flange and an elongated body. When assembled, the elongated body is configured to extend below the lower surface of the drain body when the flange rests on the upper surface. The drain assembly also includes one or more fasteners configured to couple the outlet to the drain body to form a water-tight seal therebetween, where each of the one or more fasteners are accessible from the top side.