Plumbing device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plumbing solutions for connecting a pressure and/or temperature relief valve to a waste pipe or soil stack face challenges such as back contamination risks and require complex, expensive installations with bulky odor traps that are not suitable for all locations, especially with under-counter water heaters.
Innovation Solution
A compact, space-saving connector with a non-return valve system, including a tubular middle chamber and a lift, diaphragm check, or duck bill valve, which creates an air gap and prevents backflow, allowing for connection to a soil stack while maintaining effective odor prevention and supporting temperatures up to 100°C.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a water trap is used to prevent odour escape from the soil stack, then odour prevention is improved, but the device becomes bulky and unsuitable for restricted locations
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the essential odour prevention function from the bulky water trap structure and implements it through a compact non-return valve mechanism. The valve is integrated directly into the tundish body, eliminating the need for separate water trap components while maintaining effective odour containment through one-way flow control.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical water trap system (which relies on water sealing) with a non-return valve mechanism that uses valve disc and spring assembly to prevent odour escape. This substitution enables compact design while maintaining the odour prevention function in restricted locations.
2Reliability
If a non-return valve is added to prevent backflow, then backflow prevention is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the non-return valve mechanism with the tundish body, integrating the valve assembly into the existing structure. The valve disc, spring, and associated components are incorporated as part of the tundish assembly, eliminating separate valve components and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining effective backflow prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The non-return valve is designed to operate automatically based on flow direction, requiring no external control or complex actuation mechanisms. The spring-loaded valve disc opens and closes autonomously in response to pressure differentials, providing reliable backflow prevention through self-service operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the connector is designed to be compact for under-counter water heaters, then adaptability to restricted locations is improved, but the capacity for liquid collection is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the connector geometry to utilize vertical space efficiently, with the inlet positioned above the upper chamber and the valve assembly arranged vertically. This dimensional optimization allows compact horizontal footprint suitable for under-counter installations while maintaining adequate liquid collection capacity through optimized chamber height and volume distribution.
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 reduces the risk of accidental valve opening, minimizes spillage, and provides a compact design suitable for restricted spaces, ensuring effective backflow prevention and odor containment without the need for bulky water traps.
Implementation Method 1
The non-return valve is arranged to open on application of a pre-selected pressure to permit flow of liquid from the inlet to the outlet
Implementation Method 2
The inlet is arranged above the upper chamber such that an air gap is provided between the inlet and the upper chamber
Implementation Method 3
a lift valve (142) in the middle chamber, the lift valve having a valve stem (140) arranged to run through a valve guide (135)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention provides a connector (100) comprising an inlet (105) connector, a chamber having an open upper chamber (162) and a lower closable chamber (182), and an outlet connector (120) formed in a floor (185) of the lower chamber wherein the inlet (105) connector is supported above the open upper chamber (162) by one or more arms (125) and wherein the lower chamber (182) is closable by a valve (142) which is arranged to open at a preselected pressure.