Adjustable Shower Drain Assembly for Tile Thickness Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shower drain assemblies are limited in their ability to accommodate different tile thicknesses and cannot be easily installed in both shower pans and walls, requiring separate designs for each application.

Innovation Solution

A shower drain assembly with a trough and a covering element that includes adjustable means for association between the trough and the covering element, allowing for various distances and heights to ensure flush installation with different tile thicknesses, and capable of being installed both in shower pans and walls.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed-height covering element is used, then the installation is simple, but it cannot accommodate different tile thicknesses

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different tile thicknessesVSAvoidcomplexity of adjustable association means

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The covering element's height is made adjustable through a dynamic association mechanism. The covering element can be positioned at multiple heights relative to the trough using an adjustable support structure that allows vertical movement and locking at different positions, enabling adaptation to various tile thicknesses while maintaining a relatively simple overall design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If a separate design is used for wall-mounted installations, then the installation is optimized for each application, but it increases the number of components and complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveversatility for floor and wall installationsVSAvoidnumber of different designs required

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drain assembly is designed as a universal system that can function in both floor-mounted and wall-mounted configurations. The trough and covering element are designed with geometric and structural features that allow them to be oriented horizontally for floor installations or vertically for wall installations, eliminating the need for separate designs for different applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Manufacturing precision

If the covering element is fixed at a specific height, then the manufacturing is simple, but it cannot ensure flush installation with different tile thicknesses

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of flush installationVSAvoidease of manufacturing adjustable mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The association mechanism between the trough and covering element is segmented into adjustable components. The support structure is divided into multiple positioning levels or adjustable segments that can be configured to different heights, allowing precise adjustment to match various tile thicknesses while keeping each individual component relatively simple to manufacture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12209399B2Shower drain assembly and kit for its installation

Publication Date: 2025.01.28 PROGRESS PROFILES

AI summary

A shower drain assembly including a trough with a tray element with its bottom provided with a drain hole, a covering element for the trough; and elements for association between a structure of the trough and the covering element, which are adapted to define various possible distances of the covering element from the bottom.