Sanitary Tee Fitting with Internal Boss and Snap-Fit Wings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drain, waste, and vent (DWV) systems are prone to clogging due to flow disruptions caused by existing sanitary Tee and Wye fitting components, which are not considered permanent connections and are not endorsed by plumbing codes, leading to potential pipe clogging issues.
Innovation Solution
The development of sanitary Tee and Wye fitting components made of a common plastic material, featuring an internal boss and snap-fit wings, which can be homogeneously welded with DWV pipes using a solvent mixture, creating a single, permanent homogeneous fitting that minimizes flow disturbances and eliminates gaps at junctions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If existing sanitary Tee and Wye fitting components are used to join DWV pipes, then the number of pipe connections is reduced, but flow disruptions occur at pipe intersections causing clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fitting component and DWV pipe into a single homogeneous fitting through solvent welding, eliminating the interface between separate components. This merging removes the source of flow disruptions while maintaining the connection function, thus resolving the contradiction between reducing connection数量 and preventing clogging.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses homogeneous materials (same plastic material for both fitting and pipe) and creates a homogeneous joint through solvent welding. This homogeneity ensures smooth flow transition without disturbances at the junction, solving the clogging problem while maintaining structural integrity.
2Ease of operation
If existing sanitary Tee and Wye fitting components are used, then installation flexibility is improved, but permanent connection requirement is not met
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies solvent mixture to the mating surfaces before joining, which chemically softens the plastic material in advance. This preliminary chemical preparation enables permanent bonding while maintaining ease of installation, as the solvent-welding process is as simple as applying adhesive and joining parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical-chemical state of the plastic material at the joint interface by using solvent mixture that dissolves and re-solidifies the material. This parameter change transforms the connection from mechanical (reversible) to chemical (permanent), while the installation process remains straightforward.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate DWV pipe components are joined together, then adaptability to different configurations is improved, but the likelihood of clogging increases due to multiple connection points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple pipe components into a single homogeneous fitting through solvent welding, reducing the number of connection interfaces. This merging maintains configuration adaptability through the fitting's geometric design while eliminating clogging risks associated with multiple connection points.
Solution Approach 2:
By using the same plastic material for both the fitting and pipe, and creating a homogeneous joint through solvent welding, the patent ensures smooth flow paths without turbulence or disruption at interfaces. This homogeneity reduces clogging risk while the fitting geometry provides configuration versatility.
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
This solution reduces the number of pipe connections, enhances the durability of DWV systems by creating a single-piece fitting, and minimizes flow disruptions, thereby reducing the likelihood of clogging and improving the overall efficiency of DWV systems.
Implementation Method 1
using a solvent mixture including the common plastic material dissolved in solvents applied between the interior face surface of the sanitary Tee or Wye fitting component and the exterior face surface of the DWV pipe
Data Source
AI summary
An internal boss can have an outer side surface shaped to match the bored opening of the Drain, Waste, and Vent (DWV) pipe, an inner side surface shaped to align with an interior pipe surface of the sanitary Tee or Wye fitting component, and an internal face surface of the boss extending between the side surfaces and shaped to align with an interior pipe surface of the DWV pipe when welded thereto. Snap-fit wings can hold the interior face surface of the sanitary Tee or Wye fitting component against an exterior face surface of the DWV pipe while the fitting component and DWV pipe are homogeneously weldable into a single DWV fitting using a solvent mixture including a common plastic material. Related methods and single homogeneous fittings are also provided.