Pool Drain Assembly Coupling Sieve and Sealing Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing assemblies for closing drain openings in basins require manual operation to move the sealing element between closed and open positions, necessitating removal of the sieve element from the drain cup, and involve rigid connections between the sieve and sealing elements, limiting user convenience and ease of use.
Innovation Solution
A coupling device connects the sieve and sealing elements, allowing the sealing element to be moved between positions without removing the sieve from the drain cup, using a rotary movement of the sieve element to trigger a corresponding movement of the sealing element, with a coupling projection and receptacle design enabling easy engagement and disengagement, and providing haptic feedback through height changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the sieve element and sealing element are rigidly connected, then the sealing element can be moved from closed to open position by rotating the sieve element, but the sieve element must be removed from the drain cup to perform manual operation and the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device is divided into separate components: a coupling projection on the sealing element and a coupling receptacle on the sieve element. These segments can engage to connect the elements or disengage to allow independent operation, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection between sieve element and sealing element is made dynamic rather than rigid. The coupling projection can engage with the coupling receptacle to provide rotational coupling, or disengage to allow the sieve element to remain stationary while the sealing element moves independently, enabling flexible operation modes.
2Ease of operation
If the sieve element and sealing element are completely independent, then manual operation is possible, but the sieve element must be removed from the drain cup before operation and the elements cannot be moved together seamlessly
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling projection and receptacle are pre-positioned on the sealing element and sieve element respectively. When the sieve element is placed on the drain cup, the coupling components are already in position to engage, allowing immediate coupled operation without requiring prior assembly or removal steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling device acts as an intermediary mechanism between the sieve element and sealing element. It enables coordinated movement when engaged while allowing independent operation when disengaged, eliminating the need to remove the sieve element for manual operation.
3Shape
If the sieve element covers the sealing element, then the interface remains clean and gap-free, but the sealing element becomes inaccessible for direct manual movement
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling projection serves as an intermediary access point. Users can grip the coupling projection to directly move the sealing element even when the sieve element covers it, maintaining the clean appearance while enabling operational access through the coupling mechanism.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 2
Figure 4~5
AI summary
To create an assembly (120) for closing a drain opening (122) of a basin, comprising a sieve element (124) with at least one sieve opening (126) and a sealing element (128) which, in a closed position, seals against a drain cup (104) and, in an open position, allows a liquid to drain from the basin through the drain opening, and which makes it possible to move the sealing element from the closed position to the open position and/or from the open position to the closed position by manual actuation without having to remove the sieve element from the drain cup before such manual actuation and without the sieve element and the sealing element being rigidly connected to each other, it is proposed that the assembly include an actuating device (301).by means of which the sealing element can be moved from the closed position to the open position and/or from the open position to the closed position by a movement of the sieve element, wherein the sieve element and the sealing element are movable relative to each other in a vertical direction.