Stepped Drain Adapter for Fast Leak-Free RV Sewer Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Recreational vehicle sewage drainpipes often require adapters to connect to varying diameter sewage disposal site inlets, necessitating either a quick but potentially leaky frictional fit or a more secure but time-consuming threaded connection, with existing adapters being heavy and requiring additional tools or clamps.
Innovation Solution
A tubular adapter with flanges and a ring that provides a frictional fit for 3½″ and 4″ inlets and a threaded connection for 4½″ inlets, featuring a bayonet fitting for easy connection without additional tools, minimizing material usage and weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a frictional fit connection is used, then connection speed is improved, but connection reliability deteriorates due to potential leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter merges two connection methods into a single integrated structure: a frictional fit portion for quick connection and a threaded portion for secure sealing. This allows the user to first establish rapid connection via frictional engagement, then enhance reliability by threading the securement portion, combining the advantages of both methods in one device.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter serves multiple functions within a single component: it provides both frictional fit connection for speed and threaded connection for reliability, while also accommodating different inlet sizes through multiple flange configurations. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by offering both quick connection and leak-free sealing capabilities in one universal adapter.
2Reliability
If a threaded connection is used, then connection reliability is improved, but connection time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter enables preliminary action by establishing a frictional fit connection first, which provides immediate structural connection and positioning. This preliminary connection stabilizes the assembly before the user applies the threaded securement, allowing the threading action to focus solely on creating the seal rather than also establishing mechanical connection, thus reducing total connection time while maintaining reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing adapters are designed to accommodate multiple inlet sizes, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter employs segmentation by providing multiple flange structures with different extended dimensions on the same adapter body. Each flange is designed to engage with specific inlet sizes (3½″, 4″, or 4½″), allowing the adapter to accommodate various inlet diameters through selective flange engagement rather than requiring multiple different adapters, thus maintaining simplicity while achieving versatility.
4Adaptability or versatility
If existing adapters are designed to accommodate multiple inlet sizes, then adaptability is improved, but adapter weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter applies local quality by providing different flange extended dimensions only where needed for specific inlet size accommodations. Rather than uniformly increasing the adapter's dimensions or material throughout, the design adds material locally at flange regions to achieve the required adaptability, minimizing overall weight increase while maintaining versatility for different inlet sizes.
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
Enables rapid, leak-free connections to different sewage disposal site inlets, reducing setup time and material usage while ensuring secure sealing without clamps or tools.
Implementation Method 1
A tight, frictional (i.e., interference) or a threaded connection may establish a substantially leak-free fit between an adapter and a sewage disposal site inlet
Implementation Method 2
a threaded fit typically requires more user interaction (i.e., threading the adapter to the inlet), however, it is more likely to form a substantially leak-free connection
Implementation Method 3
A connection lug may extend from and be disposed on the outer surface to enable the sewage drainpipe to couple to the sewage disposal site inlet quickly and easily via a bayonet fitting
Data Source
AI summary
An adapter for facilitating an easy and secure connection between a sewage drainpipe and a sewage disposal inlet. The adapter includes a tubular member, at least one connection lug, a ring, and at least one flange. The tubular member forms a channel defining an inlet and an outlet, the outlet insertable into the sewage disposal site inlet. At least one flange extends from an outer surface of the tubular member to increase an outer circumference of the tubular member to allow the adapter to facilitate a rapid and secure frictional connection with the sewage disposal site inlet. The flanges are configured to form a stepped configuration so the adapter may securely fit into a variety of disposal site inlet sizes. The ring, typically disposed above the flanges, includes a threaded portion, and is configured to thread onto a predetermined sewage disposal site inlet size to form a substantially leak-free seal.