A shower tray

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shower trays, particularly ceramic and polymeric synthetic ones, suffer from discomfort due to hardness, slipperiness, inability to adapt to geometry, fragility, and issues with water leakage and drainage, while foamed polymer trays lack softness and adjustability.

Innovation Solution

A shower tray comprising a rigid polymeric resin core with added mineral content and a polyurethane rubber covering, allowing for on-site cutting and drainage slopes, providing a soft surface and adjustable geometry without compromising sealing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a ceramic shower tray is used, then the tray is hard and durable, but the user feels uncomfortable and the surface is slippery

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovehardnessVSAvoidcomfort
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The shower tray combines a rigid polymeric core with a soft polymeric covering layer, creating a composite structure that provides both structural strength and comfortable, non-slip surface properties for user safety and comfort

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Duration of action of stationary object

If a ceramic shower tray is used, then the tray is durable, but it cannot be adapted to any geometry and modifications require cubicle changes

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidgeometric adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The shower tray is divided into a rigid core structure and a separate soft covering layer that can be independently cut and shaped, allowing geometric adaptations to be made in the covering without affecting the structural integrity of the core

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If a polymeric synthetic shower tray is used, then the tray is soft and flexible, but deformations occur in the drainage zone causing water leaks

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesoftnessVSAvoidsealing
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The composite structure uses a rigid polymeric core to maintain the shape and structural integrity of the drainage zone, preventing deformations and ensuring reliable sealing, while the soft polymeric covering provides comfort without compromising drainage functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Weight of moving object

If a foamed polymer shower tray is used, then the tray is lightweight, but it lacks softness and cannot be adjusted by cutting

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveweightVSAvoidadjustability
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The shower tray separates the structural function (rigid core that can be cut and shaped) from the comfort function (soft covering), allowing both adaptability through cutting and softness for user comfort while maintaining a lightweight construction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2647322B1A shower tray
Publication Date: 2017.11.15 MOLDCOM COMPOSITES
  • EP2647322B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

It is made up of two parts, a rigid core (2) made of a polymeric material, and an outer covering (3) surrounding this rigid core, and which is securely joined to this, the material of which this outer covering(3) is made being rubber.