Tub Drain Flange Connection for Above-Floor Plumbing Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation and removal of a bathtub are complicated due to the inaccessible location of tub drain components under the tub, making connections to the main plumbing difficult, especially when ceiling materials are in place, and existing solutions fail to provide a reliable, water-tight connection.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that allows for the connection of a tub drain to the main plumbing by using a device with a tail pipe that inserts without fastening, featuring a flange for stability and a gasket system for a water-tight seal, accommodating varying tub sizes and placements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the tub is installed with the drain components on the underside, then the tub can be placed in the desired location, but the connection to main plumbing becomes inaccessible and difficult to make
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by making the connection accessible from above the tub rather than from below. The drain assembly includes a flange that attaches to the underside of the tub from above, with the connection point accessible in the room where the tub is installed, eliminating the need to access the space beneath the tub.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the dimensional accessibility of the connection by moving it from the vertical dimension (beneath the tub) to the horizontal dimension (accessible from the room side). The flange extends upward from the drain body to provide a connection surface that is accessible in the same plane as the tub installation work.
2Reliability
If ceiling materials are installed in the room underneath, then the structure is complete, but access to the tub drain components is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the access route by making the connection accessible from above rather than requiring removal of ceiling materials below. The flange and gasket system allows the plumber to make the water-tight connection in the same room where the tub is being installed, without needing to access the space beneath the tub.
3Reliability
If a secure water-tight connection is made, then leaks are prevented, but the connection becomes difficult to disconnect for tub removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the connection system into distinct components: the drain body, the flange, and the gasket. This segmentation allows the gasket to provide the water-tight seal while the flange provides a mechanical connection that can be easily assembled and disassembled. The gasket remains in place on the flange, maintaining the seal capability for future connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the discarding and recovering principle to the gasket, which can be removed and reused. The gasket is designed to remain on the flange after disconnection, allowing it to be recovered and used for the next installation, while the flange and drain body can be easily disconnected and reconnected.
4Productivity
If the connection components are accessible from below, then connection is easier during installation, but tub removal becomes difficult when ceiling is in place
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the access location from below the tub to above the tub. The flange is positioned on the underside of the tub but accessible from the room side, allowing both installation and removal operations to be performed in the same space without requiring access to the area beneath the tub.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for connecting the plumbing of a tub to the main plumbing of a structure has a drain body which either directly connects to the main plumbing or uses an external pipe and/or a coupler to connect to the main plumbing. The apparatus has a flange which secures the entire apparatus to the mounting surface for the tub. A compression cap aids in guiding plumbing attached to the tub through the apparatus. A gasket aids in creating a water-tight or nearly water-tight seal. A method of using the apparatus aids in ease of installation of the tub.