Removable Check Valve Floor Drain Backflow Prevention

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing floor drain systems are prone to backflow issues due to sewer line blockages, leading to flooding and health hazards, with existing solutions being unreliable and costly.

Innovation Solution

A removable drain valve with a cylindrical housing and check valve mechanism, utilizing a circular spring that can be contracted and expanded to seal against the drain basin, preventing backflow while allowing drainage, constructed from materials like plastic or stainless steel for corrosion resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a ball type backwater valve is inserted in the pipe below the drain bowl, then backflow prevention is achieved, but the device becomes complex and solids may lodge between the valve and pipe causing unreliable operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebackflow prevention reliabilityVSAvoidvalve mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the check valve mechanism from the traditional in-line installation and relocates it to the drain bowl assembly. The cage and ball are contained within the drain bowl, separated from the sewer line, eliminating the problem of solids lodging between the valve and pipe while maintaining backflow prevention functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a cage as an intermediary structure that contains the ball and directs flow. The cage with its radial bars creates a controlled environment for the ball to move and seal, preventing solids from interfering with the sealing action while maintaining the check valve function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a plug with stem is forced into the drain pipe to close the pipe, then backflow is prevented, but the device becomes complex and may become loose impairing usefulness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebackflow prevention reliabilityVSAvoidvalve operation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The check valve operates automatically based on flow direction. The ball is forced by backup water against the underside of the bowl to close the opening, and opens automatically when flow reverses, requiring no manual operation while maintaining reliable backflow prevention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a plug that pushes against the pipe wall to close, the invention uses a ball that is forced against the underside of the bowl by backup water pressure. The sealing action is inverted from pushing against the pipe to being pushed against the bowl bottom, creating a more reliable seal

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Strength

If the cylindrical housing is made rigid for structural strength, then durability is improved, but the housing cannot expand to seal against the drain basin

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehousing structural strengthVSAvoidhousing expansion capability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The cylindrical housing is constructed from flexible material that can be contracted during insertion and then expands to seal against the drain basin interior wall. This flexibility allows the housing to adapt to the basin dimensions while maintaining structural integrity for strength

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The housing transitions from a contracted state during insertion to an expanded sealed state during operation. The dynamic transformation allows the housing to be inserted easily and then seal reliably, combining the benefits of ease of installation with secure sealing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Effectively prevents water backflow and sewer gas seepage, ensuring reliable drainage and improved indoor air quality by securely sealing against the drain basin, while allowing for easy maintenance and installation.

Implementation Method 1

A circular spring is formed of a length of spring wire. The circular spring has two circular loops, one at either end of the spring wire which are adapted for a user's fingers to be inserted to pull the two loops towards each other so that the diameter of the circular spring is reduced whereby outer walls of the cylindrical housing can be squeezed into a contracted condition when the cylinder housing is inserted into the drain basin and pressed against the interior inner wall of the drain basin. The two loops can return to their normal position whereby the diameter of circular spring is increased and thereby causes the cylindrical housing to expand into an expanded condition and seal against the drain basin.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10082213B1Check valve floor drain

Publication Date: 2018.09.25 CHARACTER ALVIN J

AI summary

A system and method for inserting removable drain valve within an inlet opening of a drain basin and then sealing the drain valve within the drain basin. The removable drain valve has a cylindrical housing with a check valve disposed with an outlet of the drain basin to allow drain water to flow out from the outlet of the drain basin while blocking flow from the outlet of the drain basin to the inlet of the drain basin.