Modular Waste Drain With Knife Gate Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional waste drains are inflexible, requiring different models for various sink connections, limiting inventory management and convenience due to fixed handle and overflow port locations, and restricting drain cleaning equipment passage with smaller valve sizes.
Innovation Solution
A modular waste drain system comprising detachable inlet and outlet assemblies and a knife gate valve, allowing for customizable configurations, remote actuation, and increased passage size for easier maintenance and cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a one piece body construction is used with fixed valve locations, then the structural integrity and simplicity is improved, but the adaptability to different inlet/outlet combinations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The waste drain is divided into separate modular components including inlet assemblies, outlet assemblies, and valve assemblies that can be independently selected and combined. This segmentation allows different configurations to be assembled for various inlet/outlet combinations while maintaining structural integrity through standardized connection interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular components are designed with universal connection features that allow the same basic assemblies to be used across multiple configurations. The inlet and outlet assemblies can be indexed to different positions, and various valve types can be interchanged, providing multi-functionality while reducing the need for multiple specialized parts.
2Ease of manufacture
If fixed handle and overflow port locations are used in conventional waste drains, then the manufacturing simplicity is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to obstructions
Solution Approach 1:
The handle location is made adjustable through the modular assembly design, allowing the handle to be positioned at different locations depending on accessibility requirements. The inlet and outlet assemblies can be indexed to different orientations, dynamically adapting the handle position to avoid obstructions while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through standardized components.
Solution Approach 2:
By separating the handle mechanism from the main body into modular components, the handle can be independently positioned and oriented. This segmentation allows the handle to be located optimally for accessibility while the overflow port can be positioned separately, both improving ease of operation without complicating manufacturing.
3Reliability
If ball valves or cylinder valves are used in conventional waste drains, then the valve functionality is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a knife gate valve design that is simpler and more economical than ball or cylinder valves. While knife gate valves may have shorter service life in some applications, they provide adequate functionality for waste drainage while significantly reducing device complexity and cost. The modular design allows these simpler valves to be easily replaced if needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex internal mechanisms of ball and cylinder valves are extracted and replaced with the simpler knife gate valve design. This extraction of unnecessary complexity maintains sufficient valve functionality for waste drainage applications while reducing the overall device complexity and cost.
4Volume of moving object
If the valve passage size is reduced in conventional waste drains, then the valve compactness is improved, but the productivity of drain cleaning equipment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The modular design allows the valve assembly to be independently selected and positioned. Larger passage sizes can be used in the valve body without compromising overall drain performance, as the modular components can be configured to optimize both valve compactness and drain cleaning equipment access. The inlet and outlet assemblies can be oriented to provide adequate clearance for cleaning equipment.
Data Source
AI summary
A modular waste drain can includes at least two of the following separate modules that can be selectively attached and detached from each other: an inlet assembly, an outlet assembly and a knife gate valve. An additional module can be provided by a valve guard assembly.