Adjustable Shower Decorative Strip for Sloped Floor Installation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing decorative strips for floor-level showers with sloped floors are not adaptable to varying gradient situations and do not compensate for subsurface settlement over time, leading to unsightly joints and installation challenges.

Innovation Solution

A decorative strip with a height-adjustable design, comprising a decorative strip profile and a separate holding profile that can be moved relative to each other, allowing for variable height adjustment and subsurface settlement compensation, using a fabric or fleece-like adhesive structure for secure fixation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed-gradient decorative strip is used, then the installation process is simple, but the strip cannot adapt to varying gradient situations and subsurface settlement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to gradient variationsVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The decorative strip is divided into multiple gradient sections (first gradient section, second gradient section, third gradient section) with different slope characteristics. Each section can independently accommodate different gradient requirements, allowing the strip to adapt to varying subsurface conditions without requiring a completely different product for each situation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The decorative strip incorporates flexible or adjustable elements that allow it to dynamically adapt to subsurface settlement and gradient variations. The strip can be bent, adjusted, or reconfigured during installation to match the actual gradient conditions, transforming from a rigid fixed-gradient component to a dynamic adaptive solution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple versions of decorative strips are produced to adapt to different thicknesses, then adaptability improves, but production and storage costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to thickness variationsVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

A single decorative strip design serves multiple functions by incorporating variable thickness sections and adjustable gradient sections. The strip can accommodate different tile thicknesses and gradient requirements without requiring separate product versions, eliminating the need for multiple SKUs and reducing production and storage costs while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The decorative strip allows for parameter changes in thickness and gradient within a single product design. By incorporating sections with different thicknesses and adjustable gradient capabilities, the strip can be configured to match various installation requirements without requiring multiple specialized versions, thereby simplifying manufacturing and inventory management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If tile cutting is used to cover recess walls, then precise coverage is achieved, but the process becomes very laborious and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage precisionVSAvoidinstallation speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The decorative strip is pre-formed with the appropriate gradient and thickness variations needed to cover recess walls accurately. This preliminary preparation of the strip eliminates the need for on-site tile cutting and shaping, allowing installers to simply attach the pre-configured strip to achieve precise coverage while significantly reducing installation time and labor requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2353482B1Decorative strip for showers
Publication Date: 2015.02.18 SCHLUTER SYST KG
  • EP2353482B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2353482B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2353482B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Decorative trim (10;40;60;80;100;120;150;180;230;260;290) for ceramic, natural stone or plastic coverings or coatings, in particular for the design of level-entry showers with a floor slope, comprising a decorative trim profile (12;42;62;82;102;122;152;182;236;274;302) having a visible decorative surface (16;50;70;92;142;164;196;236;274;302), wherein the decorative trim (10;40;60;80;100;120;150;180;230;260;290) includes a retaining profile (14;44;64;84;104;124;154;184;234;264;294) has in which the decorative strip profile (12;42;62;82;102;122;152;182;232;262;292) is height-adjustable for varying the height of its visible decorative surface (16;50;70;92;142;164;196;236;274;302).