Nested Tub Drain Assembly for Free-Standing Bathtub
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adapters for connecting bathtub drain pipes to sewer pipes frequently fail, particularly in free-standing bathtubs, leading to water pooling around the drain without proper drainage.
Innovation Solution
A drain assembly comprising an exterior tube connected to a sewer pipe, an interior tube within the exterior tube for receiving the drain pipe, and a flange for floor attachment, with struts and a beveled top end to facilitate easy installation and efficient water flow, forming a unitary piece of plastic with optional metal components for enhanced durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional PVC pipe connection is used for free-standing bathtub drain, then installation is simple, but water drainage fails and water pools around the drain pipe
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested tube structure where an interior tube is positioned within an exterior tube. The interior tube receives the bathtub drain pipe while the exterior tube provides additional drainage pathways and structural support. This nested configuration allows multiple drainage functions to be integrated within a compact adapter assembly, resolving the contradiction between reliable drainage and structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter is divided into distinct functional segments: an interior tube for primary drain pipe reception, an exterior tube for secondary drainage and structural reinforcement, and a flange for floor mounting. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally, improving overall drainage reliability while maintaining manageable assembly complexity through modular design.
2Reliability
If simple adapter designs are used, then installation is easier, but the adapter fails frequently requiring rework
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes composite construction combining different materials with complementary properties. The interior and exterior tubes may be made from different materials optimized for their specific functions, such as corrosion-resistant materials for water exposure and structurally robust materials for load-bearing sections. This composite approach enhances adapter durability while managing manufacturing complexity through specialized material selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple support and drainage functions into a unified adapter assembly. The flange structure integrates mounting capabilities, while the nested tube configuration combines primary and secondary drainage pathways. This merging of functions into a single integrated component improves reliability by eliminating weak points from multiple separate parts, while the design remains manufacturable through standardized production processes.
3Reliability
If multiple components are used in the adapter, then drainage functionality is improved, but installation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter components are pre-configured and pre-assembled during manufacturing, with the interior tube positioned within the exterior tube and the flange attached in the correct orientation. This preliminary assembly eliminates the need for complex field assembly operations, allowing installers to simply mount the complete adapter assembly to the floor and connect the drain pipe, thereby maintaining quick installation while achieving reliable multi-path drainage functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A through-floor combination tub and surface drain includes an exterior tube having a top end and a bottom end. The bottom end of the exterior tube is to connect to a sewer pipe. The top end of the exterior tube has one or more openings to provide a floor drain. The drain also includes an interior tube situated within the exterior tube. The interior tube has a top end to receive a drain pipe and a bottom end that opens into a cavity within the exterior tube that extends from the top end of the exterior tube to the bottom end of the exterior tube. The drain further includes a flange, extending outward radially from the exterior tube, to connect to a substrate of a floor.