Device to Prevent Device to Prevent Clogging of Shower DrainsClogging of Shower Drains

Team Members: Linh Bui, Alicia Ader, Team Members: Linh Bui, Alicia Ader, Joe Wagner, Jeffrey Chae, Chun Chan, Joe Wagner, Jeffrey Chae, Chun Chan, Won Seok Choi Won Seok Choi Advisor: Dr. Grace HsuanAdvisor: Dr. Grace Hsuan

ProblemProblem

Shower drains are often clogged with Shower drains are often clogged with long strands of hairlong strands of hair

http://www.famousmisteredwards.com/edwordz/images/bathroom/03_24_drain.jpg

ProblemProblem The clogged The clogged

location is not location is not easily easily accessibleaccessible

http://www.cheap-rooter.com/images/bathtub_shower.jpg - edited by Linh

ObjectiveObjective

Find a solution to remove hair from Find a solution to remove hair from shower drainsshower drains

Environmentally friendlyEnvironmentally friendly Low CostLow Cost Low MaintenanceLow Maintenance Easy to UseEasy to Use

ResearchResearch

Shower drain structureShower drain structure Filter solutionFilter solution Hair propertiesHair properties Chemical solutionChemical solution Design of deviceDesign of device Installation of the deviceInstallation of the device

Existing SolutionsExisting Solutions

Snake- plumber toolSnake- plumber tool Drain-oDrain-o Mesh filterMesh filter

http://www.geardiary.com/2007/02/06/the-flexisnake-hair-clog-tool-review/

http://www.made-in-china.com/servlet/image?compatible=true&tid=2&fid=0&lan_code=0&cache=1&id=EiTawytrvQhA

Chemical SolutionChemical Solution Find a chemical that cleans drains easilyFind a chemical that cleans drains easily Research previous products to find Research previous products to find

basic chemicalsbasic chemicals The chemical solution involves too hard The chemical solution involves too hard

to create and may not have beneficial to create and may not have beneficial affects for the environmentaffects for the environment

Research the element responsible for Research the element responsible for breaking down hair in the drains and breaking down hair in the drains and state that we could increase the amount state that we could increase the amount of that element in our chemical solution, of that element in our chemical solution, but the effects of it on the environment but the effects of it on the environment eliminated it from our choiceeliminated it from our choice

Chemical SolutionChemical Solution

Pros:Pros:– Easy to useEasy to use– Somewhat Somewhat

cost efficientcost efficient

Cons:Cons:– Damages the Damages the environmentenvironment– Causes chemical Causes chemical hazardshazards

Filter SolutionFilter Solution

A two level filterA two level filter Face plate Face plate

guards large guards large objectsobjects

Lower level has Lower level has wires weaved wires weaved into a basket to into a basket to trap hairtrap hair

http://www.made-in-china.com/servlet/image?compatible=true&tid=2&fid=0&lan_code=0&cache=1&id=EiTawytrvQhA – Edited by Linh

Filter SolutionFilter Solution

Pros:Pros:– Easy to useEasy to use– Cost efficientCost efficient– Effectively Effectively

trapping hair trapping hair before they before they enter the drainenter the drain

Cons:Cons:– High High MaintenanceMaintenance– Health Health hazardoushazardous

Best SolutionBest Solution

Created to cut hair into finer piecesCreated to cut hair into finer pieces Constructed with non-corrosive Constructed with non-corrosive

materialsmaterials Located above the p-trapLocated above the p-trap Powered by electricityPowered by electricity Operated by a manual switchOperated by a manual switch

Device PrototypeDevice Prototype

Attached razor Attached razor blades placed 5mm blades placed 5mm apartapart

Made from one of Made from one of the strongest the strongest stainless steel, stainless steel, Type 301Type 301

The motor is The motor is placed outside of placed outside of the chamberthe chamber

Created by Won Choi

Device PrototypeDevice Prototype

Side view of the device attached to the p-trap

Bottom consists Bottom consists of a steel plate of a steel plate to act as a to act as a cutting boardcutting board

Recommended Recommended replacement replacement every three every three yearsyears

Created by Linh Bui

Final DeviceFinal Device

Interlocking rectangular teeth Interlocking rectangular teeth mechanismmechanism

Stretching hair until exceed Stretching hair until exceed stress/strain pointstress/strain point

Recommended replacement every Recommended replacement every five yearsfive years

Final DeviceFinal Device

Pictures by Won Choi

Various views of the final device Various views of the final device

The blades are attached to the The blades are attached to the pistonpiston

O-rings on the piston prevents O-rings on the piston prevents water leakagewater leakage

Final DeviceFinal Device

Device attached to Device attached to the p-trapthe p-trap

Pictures by Won Choi

Final DeviceFinal Device

Front viewFront view The shaft travels in The shaft travels in

a circular motiona circular motion

Picture by Won Choi, Animated by Linh Bui

Final DeviceFinal Device

Pros:Pros:– Minimal Minimal

Maintenance Maintenance – Environmentally Environmentally

FriendlyFriendly– Durable for five Durable for five

years years

Cons:Cons:– May require May require professional professional installationinstallation

SummarySummary

Shower drains are clogged by long Shower drains are clogged by long strands of hairstrands of hair

Existing solutions are either Existing solutions are either ineffective or require unsanitary ineffective or require unsanitary processesprocesses

Best solution to solve the problem: Best solution to solve the problem: mechanical devicemechanical device

AcknowledgmentAcknowledgment

Dr. Grace Hsuan – GuidanceDr. Grace Hsuan – Guidance Jay Bhatt – Project researchingJay Bhatt – Project researching Young Choi – Assisting device Young Choi – Assisting device

graphicsgraphics

QUESTION?QUESTION?

ReferencesReferences (1) ISSF. “Mechanical & Physical Properties.” (1) ISSF. “Mechanical & Physical Properties.”

International Stainless Steel ForumInternational Stainless Steel Forum. 2006. 5 Mar 2007. . 2006. 5 Mar 2007. http://www.worldstainless.org/http://www.worldstainless.org/

(2) Nancy EV Bryk “Drain Cleaner.” (2) Nancy EV Bryk “Drain Cleaner.” How Products are How Products are MadeMade. 2007. . 2007. 1 Mar.2007. 1 Mar.2007. http://www.madehow.com/Volume-7/Drain-http://www.madehow.com/Volume-7/Drain-Cleaner.htmlCleaner.html

(3) Philpott, Evitt & Co. Ltd. “Clogged Drains.” (3) Philpott, Evitt & Co. Ltd. “Clogged Drains.” How to How to TipsTips. 2007. 15 Feb.2007. . 2007. 15 Feb.2007. http://18004654533.com/Howto/CloggedDrains.asphttp://18004654533.com/Howto/CloggedDrains.asp

(4) Sheridan, William. "Reference Data Sheet For (4) Sheridan, William. "Reference Data Sheet For Chemical and Enzymatic Drain Cleaners." Chemical and Enzymatic Drain Cleaners." Meridian Meridian Engineering and Technology Engineering and Technology . Nov 1994. 8 Mar 2007 . Nov 1994. 8 Mar 2007 http://www.meridianeng.com/draincle.htmlhttp://www.meridianeng.com/draincle.html

(5) SSINA. “Stainless Steel for Machining.” (5) SSINA. “Stainless Steel for Machining.” Designer Designer HandbookHandbook. 9 Feb 1995. 6 Mar 2007. . 9 Feb 1995. 6 Mar 2007. http://www.ssina.com/view_a_file/machining.pdfhttp://www.ssina.com/view_a_file/machining.pdf