Universal Drain Pipe with Sealed Overflow Port
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing drain pipe systems often face issues with water leakage due to mismatched thickness between sink types, where a drain pipe with an overflow port is incorrectly installed on a vessel sink without an overflow port, or vice versa, leading to non-functional overflow ports and water leaks.
Innovation Solution
A drain pipe with a sidewall featuring a port for receiving water from an overflow channel, and means for sealing the port using a cover or sleeve, such as a resilient grommet, hole plug, knock-out hole plug, or adhesive sheet, allowing the pipe to be used with either sink type without the need for separate inventory.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a drain pipe with an overflow port is installed on a vessel sink without an overflow port, then the drain pipe structure is complete, but water leakage occurs due to unsealed overflow port
Solution Approach 1:
The drain pipe is designed with a universal overflow port structure that can function in both sinks with overflow ports and vessel sinks without overflow ports. The port is configured to receive water from an overflow channel when present, or remain sealed when absent, allowing a single drain pipe design to serve multiple sink types without modification
Solution Approach 2:
A sealable overflow port structure acts as an intermediary element between the drain pipe body and the sink's overflow system. This port can selectively connect to or isolate from the drain passage, mediating between sinks with different overflow configurations and preventing water leakage in vessel sinks while maintaining functionality in traditional sinks
2Reliability
If a drain pipe without an overflow port is installed in a sink with an overflow port, then water leakage is prevented, but the sink's overflow port becomes nonfunctional
Solution Approach 1:
The drain pipe incorporates an integrated overflow port that provides universal compatibility with both sink types. The port structure includes sealing capability that allows it to function as an active overflow receptacle when connected to a sink with an overflow channel, or as a sealed closure when installed in a vessel sink without an overflow port
3Reliability
If separate inventory of drain pipes is maintained for different sink types, then correct matching is achieved, but installation errors still occur due to human mistake
Solution Approach 1:
A single universal drain pipe design replaces the need for maintaining separate inventory of drain pipes for different sink types. The universal design incorporates an overflow port with integrated sealing capability that automatically adapts to both traditional sinks with overflow channels and vessel sinks without overflow ports, eliminating installation errors while simplifying inventory management
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
Ensures proper water flow and prevents leaks by allowing the drain pipe to be used with either sink type, ensuring the overflow port is either functional or sealed as needed, thus eliminating inventory duplication and installation errors.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient grommet
Data Source
AI summary
A conventional bathroom sink has an overflow port and an overflow conduit. A conventional drain pipe for the conventional sink has overflow ports in fluid communication with the sink's overflow port. A vessel sink does not have an overflow port. A prior art drain pipe that does not have overflow ports has been used with vessel sinks. The present invention provides a new drain pipe with overflow ports for a conventional sink and means for covering and sealing the overflow ports in the new drain pipe so that the new drain pipe can also be used with a vessel sink that does not have an overflow port. Means for covering and sealing the overflow ports include an inner sleeve that fits inside the drain pipe, an outer sleeve that surrounds the drain pipe and grommets and hole plugs that that fit inside the overflow ports, where all of the means cover and seal the overflow ports so that the new drain pipe does not leak when used with a vessel sink that does not have an overflow port.