Segmented Drainage Plug for Pump Freezing Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pump assemblies lack a simple, quick, and easy-to-install drainage structure to prevent damage from freezing water, especially when they stop operating in cold environments.
Innovation Solution
A pump assembly with a single-piece drainage plug featuring a first plug element, a second plug element, and a coupling rod, where the coupling rod's smaller cross-sectional area allows water to flow around it, coupled with an adapter and a pressure tank unit to maintain pressure during operation and drainage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional drain valve structure with multiple components (nut, O-shaped sealing ring, inner screw plug) is used, then the drainage function is achieved, but the structure becomes complex and difficult to install
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple drainage components (plug, sealing ring, coupling rod) into a single integrated drainage plug assembly. The first plug element, second plug element, and coupling rod are formed as one piece, eliminating the need for separate nuts, multiple sealing rings, and screw plugs. This merging of components directly resolves the technical contradiction by simplifying the drainage structure while maintaining its sealing and drainage functions.
2Reliability
If a drainage plug with large cross-sectional area is used to ensure sealing, then sealing performance is improved, but water flow through the pump assembly is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage plug is segmented into multiple elements (first plug element, second plug element, coupling rod) with varying cross-sectional areas. The coupling rod has a smaller cross-sectional area than the plug elements, allowing it to be positioned in the water channel without significantly restricting flow. The sealing function is concentrated at the plug elements that contact the pump housing, while the coupling rod provides structural connection with minimal flow interference. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by separating sealing functions from flow-path functions.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the drainage plug have different cross-sectional areas optimized for their specific functions. The first and second plug elements have larger cross-sectional areas for effective sealing contact with the pump housing, while the coupling rod has a minimized cross-sectional area to reduce flow restriction in the water channel. This local optimization of geometric properties resolves the technical contradiction between sealing performance and water flow rate.
Data Source
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AI summary
A pump assembly (100) includes a pump housing (110) adapted to house a drive motor (112) therein. The pump housing (110) defines an inlet opening (114), an outlet opening (116) and a drainage opening (118) therein. A drainage plug (120) is adapted to be engaged with the drainage opening (118). The pump assembly (100) is characterized in that the drainage plug (120) includes a first plug element (120A) having a first cross-sectional area (A1) and a second plug element (120B) having a second cross-sectional area (A2). The second plug element (120B) is coupled to the first plug element (120A) through a coupling rod (120C). A cross-sectional area (A3) of the coupling rod (120C) is smaller than the first cross-sectional area (A1) and the second cross-sectional area (A2).