Overflow Device Water Seal Design for Low-Profile Baths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional overflow systems for sinks and baths are complex, difficult to install and maintain, present hygiene issues, and have limitations in water seal height and drainage efficiency, especially in low-clearance baths.
Innovation Solution
An overflow device with a body and pipe arrangement that creates a water seal between the inlet and outlet, featuring a telescopic pipe with an inverted U-shape and a pop-up plug for adjustable overflow levels, allowing for a compact design and improved drainage efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a conventional overflow channel is formed in the sink body, then the overflow function is provided, but the structural complexity and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The overflow system is divided into separate functional components: the overflow channel (14) is distinct from the drainage channel (16), and the water seal (24) is a separate element. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies manufacturing compared to integrated conventional designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The water seal (24) is extracted as a separate removable component from the main sink body, allowing it to be manufactured independently and installed separately. This extraction simplifies the manufacturing of the main sink body while maintaining the water seal function.
2Ease of operation
If a separate flexible hose arrangement is used for overflow, then the overflow function is provided, but the number of components and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The overflow channel (14) and drainage channel (16) are merged into a single integrated body structure, eliminating the need for separate flexible hoses and multiple connection components. This consolidation reduces the total number of parts and simplifies installation while maintaining the overflow and drainage functions.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the waste opening is in the wall of the sink bowl, then the overflow function is provided, but hygiene problems and cleaning difficulty arise
Solution Approach 1:
The water seal (24) is extracted as a separate removable component that can be easily detached for cleaning. This extraction allows the sealing function to be maintained while enabling simple removal and cleaning of the component, addressing both hygiene and maintenance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The removable water seal design enables easy self-cleaning by the user without requiring disassembly of the main sink body or specialized tools. The component can be simply removed, cleaned, and reinstalled, making maintenance accessible to end users.
4Length of stationary object
If a downstream water seal is used in conventional systems, then the water seal function is provided, but the device depth increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage channel (16) is configured to extend horizontally along the bottom of the sink body rather than vertically downward. This dimensional change allows the water seal (24) to be positioned at a lower depth while maintaining the required sealing height, enabling installation in low-clearance applications such as underfloor heating systems.
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 a compact and hygienic overflow system that reduces the overall height of the device, enhances drainage speed, and eliminates visible water seals, addressing the complexity and hygiene issues of conventional systems while improving drainage efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a drainage flowpath between the body inlet and the body outlet, the drainage flowpath, in use, creating a water seal between the body inlet and body outlet
Implementation Method 2
when a predetermined level of water in the appliance is reached, the inverted U-shaped portion provides an overflow function, wherein fluid flows from the inlet chamber into the pipe arrangement entry, through the pipe arrangement and to the outlet chamber through the pipe arrangement exit
Data Source
AI summary
An overflow device for an appliance such as a bathtub, sink or the like. The overflow device comprises a body which connects the overflow device to the appliance. The body includes a body inlet adapted to be connected to an appliance outlet. The body also includes a body outlet adapted to be connected to a soil stack. A drainage flowpath is defined between the body inlet and the body outlet. In use, the drainage flowpath creates a water seal between the body inlet and body outlet. The overflow device also includes a pipe arrangement in fluid communication with the body, where the pipe arrangement defines an overflow flowpath between the body inlet and the body outlet, such that, in use, at least a portion of the overflow flowpath is beneath the level of the water seal.