Adjustable Drainage Inlet for Tile Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drainage devices face challenges in adapting floor coverings, such as tiles, to the inlet means, particularly with the grate, during assembly, leading to potential misalignment and unsightly clogging.
Innovation Solution
The drainage device incorporates second adjustment means, including a second flange that can be horizontally moved relative to the base plate, allowing for the inlet means to be adjusted during assembly, and a ring-shaped insert made of styrofoam to unify openings in the floor panels, enabling different drainage devices to be integrated with the same outer dimensions but varying inner dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the base plate is designed as a shower element with fixed inlet means, then the structure is simple and stable, but the tiles cannot be easily adapted to the inlet means, causing misalignment and unsightly clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet means are made movable relative to the base plate through a flange that can be positioned in different locations. This dynamic capability allows the inlet means to be adjusted during assembly to achieve proper alignment with the tiles, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The drainage device is divided into separate components: a base plate and independently movable inlet means connected by a flange. This segmentation allows the inlet means to be adjusted relative to the base plate, enabling tile adaptation without redesigning the entire structure.
2Ease of operation
If the inlet means are fixed during manufacturing, then production is efficient and cost-effective, but alignment with tiles during installation cannot be adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The flange connecting the inlet means to the base plate is designed to allow horizontal movement during assembly. This enables easy alignment adjustment of the inlet means with the tiles, improving ease of operation during installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The inlet means are pre-assembled with the flange attachment mechanism before installation. This preliminary preparation allows for quick adjustment during assembly without requiring complex on-site modifications, reducing assembly time while maintaining ease of alignment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If different drainage devices are used in floor panels, then design flexibility is improved, but the openings in floor panels become non-uniform, affecting aesthetics
Solution Approach 1:
The base plate is designed with a standardized outer shape and opening configuration that serves as a universal interface for different drainage devices. This allows various drainage devices with different internal configurations to be installed in floor panels while maintaining uniform appearance of the openings.
Solution Approach 2:
The base plate provides a standardized external form and opening structure, while allowing different drainage devices to have different internal characteristics. This separation of external uniformity from internal diversity enables both aesthetic consistency and design versatility.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 5
AI summary
The device has a base plate (1) including an opening (2) for flow of sewage water, and ring-shaped parts (8, 9) pre-assembled in a base region. An adjustment unit adjusts the base plate with respect to the ring-shaped parts during assembling the base plate. An inlet unit (22) is arranged above or in the opening of the base plate in an assembled condition. Another adjustment unit adjusts the inlet unit with respect to the base plate during assembling the base plate. The former adjustment unit includes a flange (16) that extends horizontally in the assembled condition.