Waterless Floor Drain Trap Valve with Expandable Seal
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional open floor drains and waterless trap valves fail to effectively prevent backflow of sewer odors, gases, and pests, and are often difficult and expensive to install, with a lack of efficient options for waterless floor drain trap valves that can withstand reverse water pressure and maintain sealing functionality.
Innovation Solution
A novel Waterless Floor Drain Trap Valve with smart sealing functionality, featuring a recessed grate, expandable silicone gasket, backflow preventer plate, and sensors for real-time monitoring, which allows one-way fluid flow while preventing reverse flow of odors, gases, and pests, and can be remotely connected for diagnostic feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional open floor drains are used, then drainage function is provided, but backflow prevention capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is divided into multiple functional components: a body housing, a trap mechanism, a check valve assembly, and a seal system. Each component performs a specific function (drainage, odor trapping, backflow prevention, sealing) that can be independently manufactured and then assembled together, simplifying the overall manufacturing process while maintaining comprehensive functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The check valve assembly is nested within the trap mechanism, which is itself contained within the body housing. The seal components are nested around the valve stem and within the trap chamber. This nested arrangement allows multiple functions to be integrated in a compact configuration, improving backflow prevention capability without significantly increasing installation complexity.
2Reliability
If waterless trap valves are used, then backflow prevention is improved, but sealing functionality is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible seal ring made of elastomeric material is used to create a reliable seal between the valve components. The flexibility of this thin film seal allows it to conform to slight variations in manufacturing tolerances and maintain sealing effectiveness under varying pressure conditions, improving sealing functionality without requiring complex mechanical sealing structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal effectiveness is enhanced by changing the physical parameters of the sealing interface - specifically by using a compliant elastomeric material that can deform under pressure to maintain contact with the sealing surface. This material parameter change provides reliable sealing without increasing structural complexity.
3Strength
If conventional trap valves are used, then drainage flow is permitted, but resistance to reverse water pressure is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The check valve assembly incorporates a weighted flap or spring-loaded mechanism that uses counterbalancing forces to resist reverse water pressure. When normal drainage flow occurs, the weight or spring force is overcome and the valve opens. When reverse pressure occurs, the counterweight mechanism closes the valve to prevent backflow, providing strength against reverse pressure while maintaining drainage efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve employs dynamic elements such as a movable flap or piston in the check valve assembly that automatically responds to pressure differential changes. During normal drainage, the dynamic element opens to allow flow; during backflow conditions, it closes to block reverse pressure. This dynamic response provides both drainage efficiency and resistance to reverse pressure without requiring complex control systems.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If P-traps are used, then odor prevention is provided, but maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The trap mechanism is designed as a self-contained, removable assembly that can be easily extracted from the body housing for cleaning and maintenance. The trap chamber is separated from the main valve body, allowing users to remove and clean the trap without disassembling the entire valve assembly, reducing maintenance requirements while maintaining odor prevention functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The trap design incorporates wide access openings and a simplified internal geometry that allows users to easily clean the trap chamber themselves without requiring specialized tools or professional service. The self-service design reduces maintenance complexity while maintaining effective odor prevention through the water seal.
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
The valve effectively prevents backflow and odor ingress, withstands reverse water pressure, and provides advanced monitoring capabilities, ensuring a healthier indoor environment while functioning as a standard drain.
Implementation Method 1
an expandable outer seal positioned between the top and bottom cover
Implementation Method 2
a backflow preventer plate along with a backflow preventer seal positioned in proximity to the bottom cover of the outlet end
Data Source
AI summary
A Waterless Floor Drain Trap Valve is provided as a drain line backup to withstand the pressure from water/sewage reversing direction and flowing into the occupied space of the building. During usage, as a nut on the top of the Valve is tightened, the expandable outer seal forms a plurality of seal points within the inside diameter of the floor drainpipe while almost simultaneously the bottom cover travels in an upward direction further compressing the expandable outer seal and providing robust sealing to prevent backflow into the living space. The Waterless Floor Drain Trap Valve is further configured to connect remotely to various diagnostic devices, mobile platforms and applications for real-time monitoring of the valve performance.