Rotating Floor Drain Frame with Clamp for Tile Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floor drains are difficult to align with surrounding architectural features during installation due to limited rotation of the drain body and frame, requiring costly and time-consuming adjustments after plumbing is connected, and often cannot be oriented to match the geometric configuration of tiles or walls.
Innovation Solution
A floor drain design featuring a rotatable frame with a securable end that slides along an annular ledge of the drain body, secured by a clamp with a sloped surface to allow infinite positioning adjustments relative to the surroundings, enabling the grate to be aligned aesthetically with the floor tiles or walls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the drain body and frame are fixed together in a single orientation, then the installation process is simple and quick, but the grate cannot be aligned with surrounding architectural features such as walls and floor tiles
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is designed to be rotatable relative to the drain body, transforming a static fixed connection into a dynamic adjustable connection. This allows the frame to be rotated to any desired orientation to align with surrounding architectural features while maintaining a secure connection to the drain body through the clamp mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection between the drain body and frame is divided into separable components: the drain body remains stationary while the frame can be independently rotated and secured at different orientations. This segmentation allows the frame to be adjusted independently of the drain body orientation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the drain body is rotated to align the grate with walls, then aesthetic alignment is achieved, but the drain pipe connection becomes misaligned with plumbing lines
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the drainage function (drain body with fixed pipe connection) from the aesthetic presentation function (rotatable frame with grate). This allows the drain body to maintain its orientation for proper plumbing connection while the frame can be independently rotated to align aesthetically with surrounding features.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame is designed with rotational capability relative to the drain body, allowing it to be adjusted to any desired orientation independent of the drain body's fixed orientation. This dynamic adjustment enables aesthetic alignment without compromising the reliability of the plumbing connection.
3Adaptability or versatility
If adjustment of the frame orientation is allowed after installation, then aesthetic alignment with surroundings is achieved, but the structural stability and security of the frame connection is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The frame connection system provides dynamic adjustability during installation through the rotatable and slidable clamp mechanism, then transitions to static stability once secured. The clamp can be tightened at any desired orientation to lock the frame in place, providing both adjustment capability and final structural stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame is pre-configured with a clamp mechanism that allows orientation adjustment during installation, and the clamp can be tightened to secure the frame in the desired position before final installation. This preliminary securing action ensures both adjustability during setup and stability once positioned.
Data Source
AI summary
A floor drain having a drain body that receives a rotatable frame with a grate. The orientation of the grate and frame about an axis of the drain body may be adjusted by rotating the frame relative to the drain body and clamping the frame in the desired orientation. Adjustments to the orientation of the grate and frame can be made to align the grate and frame with floor tiles or other flooring materials and with walls surrounding the floor drain.