Bathtub Overflow Pipe Assembly With Buffering Ring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional overflow pipes in bathtubs lack a stop feature to prevent movement during installation, leading to potential leakage due to manufacturing tolerances between metal components, which complicates the installation process.
Innovation Solution
An overflow pipe assembly featuring a fitting end with outer threads, a flange, a buffering ring, and a locking ring with inner threads, along with a cap and tubular portion that securely engages with the overflow pipe to prevent backward movement and ensure correct installation, using protrusions and slots for precise alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the nut element and upper end portion are both made of metal with threads, then the connection strength is improved, but manufacturing tolerance causes the overflow pipe to move backward during installation, leading to potential leakage and prolonged installation time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a buffering ring made of elastic material that is mounted on the fitting end of the overflow pipe before installation. This buffering ring compensates for manufacturing tolerances in the threaded connection between the locking ring and fitting end, preventing the overflow pipe from moving backward during installation while maintaining connection strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines metal materials (fitting end, locking ring) with elastic materials (buffering ring) to create a composite connection system. The buffering ring is mounted on the fitting end and works together with the metal threaded components to provide both strength and tolerance compensation.
2Device complexity
If no stop feature is provided during installation, then the device complexity is reduced, but the overflow pipe may move backward too far causing leakage and requiring extra caution during installation
Solution Approach 1:
The buffering ring is pre-mounted on the fitting end to provide a stop feature that prevents excessive backward movement during installation. This simple elastic component provides reliability without significantly increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffering ring automatically engages with the bathtub wall to provide the stop feature, eliminating the need for complex adjustment mechanisms or worker caution. The system self-regulates the installation position.
3Productivity
If the threaded section length is shorter than expected due to pipe movement, then the installation speed is improved, but the connection reliability deteriorates causing leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The buffering ring compensates for variations in threaded section engagement, ensuring reliable connection even when the effective thread length varies due to installation speed or worker technique differences.
Data Source
AI summary
An overflow pipe assembly of a bathtub includes an overflow pipe having a horizontal fitting end which has outer threads on outside thereof. A flange extends from the outside of the fitting end. A buffering ring is mounted to the fitting end and clamped between the flange and the wall of the bathtub. Two slots are defined axially in the passage of the fitting end. A locking ring is threadedly connected to the outer threads of the overflow pipe. A cap is mounted to the fitting end and has a peripheral wall which includes multiple drain holes. The cap has a tubular portion inserted into the passage. The tubular portion has a central hole which communicates with apertures defined through the wall of the tubular portion. The tubular portion has two protrusion which are engaged with the slots of the fitting end.