Sliding Downpipe Diverter Outlet for Safe Retrofit and Leak Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid flow diverters for downpipes lack easy, convenient, and safe retrofitting methods, often requiring direct contact with sharp drill holes, which poses safety risks and inefficiencies in fluid coupling and leakage prevention.
Innovation Solution
A liquid flow diverter design featuring a slidable liquid outlet that is fluidly coupled with the body, allowing it to function as a handle for safe retrofitting and preventing leakage by automatically stopping outflow when not properly coupled, with additional security provided by a belt wrapping around the downpipe.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the collection unit is inserted via a drill hole through the downpipe wall, then the liquid flow diverter can be retrofitted with the downpipe, but the user comes into direct contact with the sharp drill hole causing safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid outlet acts as an intermediary component that mediates between the user and the sharp drill hole. The user holds and manipulates the liquid outlet during insertion, which guides the collection unit into the downpipe through the drill hole without the user's hand needing to approach the sharp edge directly.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid outlet is pre-assembled with the collection unit before the retrofitting process begins. This preliminary assembly allows the liquid outlet to serve as a protective interface from the start of the insertion process, preventing direct contact with the sharp drill hole edge before the collection unit is fully inserted.
2Device complexity
If the liquid outlet is fixed relative to the body, then the structure is simple, but the user cannot safely handle the device during insertion without direct contact with the sharp drill hole
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling between the liquid outlet and the body is made dynamic rather than fixed. The liquid outlet can slide along the longitudinal axis of the body, transitioning between a first position (fluidically decoupled) and a second position (fluidically coupled). This dynamic capability allows the liquid outlet to serve as a safe handle during insertion while maintaining structural simplicity.
3Productivity
If the liquid outlet is always fluidly coupled with the body, then liquid can always be discharged, but leakage cannot be prevented when the device is being installed or transported
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid coupling between the liquid outlet and the body is made dynamic through the sliding mechanism. In the first position, the liquid outlet is fluidically decoupled from the body, preventing leakage during installation or transport. In the second position, the liquid outlet is fluidically coupled, enabling liquid discharge during normal operation. The sliding action allows transition between these states.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid outlet can be extracted or separated from the fluid pathway by sliding to the first position. This extraction breaks the fluid connection between the collection unit and the outlet, effectively preventing leakage while maintaining the structural integrity of the assembled device during handling.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3D
AI summary
A liquid flow diverter (100) for a downpipe (200) and a method (300) for retrofitting the liquid flow diverter (100) with the downpipe (200) is disclosed. The liquid flow diverter (100) includes a body (110) with a first end (114) and a second end (116). A liquid outlet (120) is adapted to be coupled with the first end (114) of the body (110). The liquid outlet (120) allows fluid coupling of the liquid flow diverter (100) with the downpipe (200). The liquid flow diverter (100) is characterized in that the liquid outlet (120) is slidably coupled with the first end (114) of the body (110), such that the liquid outlet (120) is slidable relative to the first end (114) of the body (110) between a first position (PI) and a second position (P2). The liquid outlet (120) is adapted to be fluidly de-coupled with the first end (114) of the body (110) in the first position (PI). Further, the liquid outlet (120) is adapted to be fluidly coupled with the first end (114) of the body (110) in the second position (P2).