Modular Retaining Device for Flat Roof Drains
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing retaining devices for flat roof drains require separate manufacturing for different applications due to their inflexible design, necessitating a more adaptable solution that can be easily assembled and adjusted on-site.
Innovation Solution
A modular retaining device featuring a cup-shaped trap basket with a separate holder assembly, including movable holding arms and a gear unit with a bolt and worm mechanism, allowing for step-less adjustability and easy assembly without pre-manufacturing for specific applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If holding arms are integrated into the trap basket and spread into a holding position due to resiliency, then the retaining device can automatically hold the drain, but the device requires separate manufacturing for different applications reducing flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is divided into a separate assembly from the trap basket. The holding arms are part of the holder assembly rather than being integrally formed with the trap basket, allowing the holder to be detached and adapted for different drain configurations without manufacturing different trap baskets.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding arms are made resilient and can be compressed from a holding position to a release position. This dynamic capability allows the same holder assembly to adapt to different drain sizes and configurations by adjusting the compression level of the holding arms, providing versatility without requiring multiple fixed designs.
2Reliability
If multiple variants are manufactured for different applications, then each application can be optimized, but manufacturing complexity and inventory requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The holder assembly with resilient holding arms is designed as a universal component that can serve multiple drain applications. By adjusting the compression of the holding arms, the same holder can be adapted to different drain sizes and configurations, eliminating the need to manufacture and inventory multiple specialized variants.
3Ease of manufacture
If holding arms are compressed for assembly and placed in the drain, then installation is straightforward, but the integrated resilient design reduces adaptability
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the holder from the trap basket, the resilient holding arms can be pre-compressed in the holder assembly during manufacturing, maintaining simple assembly procedures. The separate holder can then be adapted to different applications by adjusting the compression level before installation, preserving both ease of manufacture and adaptability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a modular design with separate holder assembly is used, then flexibility and adaptability increase, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into a trap basket and a separate holder assembly, enabling modular design. This segmentation allows the holder to be independently manufactured and adapted for different applications, then easily attached to the trap basket, providing flexibility without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding arms, operating element, and gear unit are combined into a single holder assembly that attaches to the trap basket. This merging reduces the number of separate components that need to be handled during assembly, maintaining simplicity despite the modular design benefits.
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 provides extreme flexibility, modular design, and adjustable holding forces, eliminating the need for multiple manufacturing variants and simplifying on-site assembly, enhancing manufacturing efficiency and adaptability.
Implementation Method 1
A gear unit includes a bolt that is adapted to be connected with a rotatable operating element and has a driving worm
Implementation Method 2
holding arms that are spread into a 'holding' position due to their resiliency
Data Source
AI summary
A retaining device 1 comprises a cup-shaped trap basket 2 including a circular support edge 3. A holder 4 is disposed at the trap basket 2, includes at least two holding arms 5, 6 movable between a “holding position” and “release” position, and is a separate assembly adapted to be connected to the trap basket 2. A gear unit 8 includes a bolt 10 that is adapted to be connected with a rotatable operating element 7 and has a driving worm 9 and tooth sections 11 adapted to be engaged with the driving worm 9 and disposed at the holding arms 5, 6.