Pivoting Siphon Assembly to Eliminate Pipe Bends in Shower Drainage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Siphon arrangements for shower surfaces or trays face challenges in positioning due to the need for complex pipeline structures with multiple bends, which affects drainage performance and ease of installation.

Innovation Solution

A siphon arrangement comprising a siphon element with a bearing section and a holding element that allows pivoting about a central axis, enabling alignment with a sewer line and drain opening without additional pipe bends, and featuring a locking connection and spring tabs for secure positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional siphon positioning methods are used with fixed connection to mounting frame, then installation position is fixed, but alignment with sewer line and drain opening becomes complex requiring multiple pipe bends

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of installationVSAvoidpipeline structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The siphon element is made rotatable relative to the mounting frame through a bearing section, transforming the fixed connection into a dynamic adjustable connection. This allows the siphon outlet to be rotated and aligned with the sewer line in any direction, eliminating the need for complex pipe bends while maintaining proper drainage function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If multiple pipe bends are used to achieve alignment, then connection to sewer line is possible, but drainage performance deteriorates due to hydraulic loss

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrainage performanceVSAvoidhydraulic loss
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The rotatable siphon element allows direct alignment with the sewer line, creating a straighter drainage path with minimal bends. This dynamic positioning capability reduces hydraulic resistance and energy loss, improving drainage performance compared to fixed installations requiring multiple pipe bends.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If siphon element is firmly fixed to mounting frame, then connection stability is high, but installation flexibility and adaptability are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation flexibilityVSAvoidconnection stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing section provides a rotatable connection that maintains stability during operation while allowing flexible positioning during installation. The siphon element can be rotated to the required orientation and then secured, combining both adaptability and stability in a single connection mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Productivity

If complex pipeline structures with multiple bends are used, then connection to sewer line is achieved, but assembly time and installation difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly speedVSAvoidpipeline structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rotatable siphon element eliminates the need for multiple pipe bends by allowing direct alignment with the sewer line. This single adjustable component replaces what would otherwise require a complex assembly of bent pipes, significantly reducing assembly time and installation difficulty.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3272955B1Siphon assembly
Publication Date: 2022.03.02 GEBERIT INT AG
  • EP3272955B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3272955B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3272955B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A siphon arrangement (1) comprises a siphon element (2) with a bearing section (3) and with a siphon channel (20) which has an inlet (4) and outlet (5) and a holding element (6) for connecting the siphon element (2) to an assembly frame (7), the holding element (6) comprising a receiving section (8) for accommodating the bearing section (3) of the siphon element (2) and a fastening section (9) for fastening the holding element (6) to the assembly frame (7), and wherein a central axis (M) extends through the receiving portion (8). The receiving section (8) and the bearing section (3) are designed in such a way that the siphon element (2) can be aligned pivotably about the central axis (M) with respect to the stationary holding element (6).