Basin with drain
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing basins with floor drains face challenges in achieving a high-quality, flush appearance and operational safety due to reliance on vertical positioning accuracy and radial guidance precision of closure elements, which can lead to unintentional closure and difficulty in removal.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a closure element that can be positioned in three distinct states, with a panel supported by a separate surface when closed or flush with the floor, allowing for easy removal by hand, and an expandable drain cross-section for emergency situations, featuring a drain sieve and compact actuation mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the closure element is designed to be movable with vertical displacement for selective positioning, then the drain opening can be selectively closed or opened, but the position of the cover relative to the basin floor becomes dependent on vertical positioning accuracy and radial guidance precision, making it difficult to achieve a high-quality flush appearance
Solution Approach 1:
A separate support surface is introduced as an intermediary element to support the panel when the closure element is in the first or second position. This support surface is not formed by the closure element itself, thereby decoupling the panel positioning from the vertical positioning accuracy of the closure element and enabling a high-quality flush appearance without requiring high manufacturing precision
Solution Approach 2:
The support function is segmented from the closure element. The closure element's primary function is to close or open the drain, while the panel support function is provided by a separate support surface, allowing independent optimization of each function without mutual interference
2Ease of operation
If the closure element can be moved from the open second position to the closed first position by exerting force on the cover, then the drain can be closed, but this creates a risk of unintentional closure
Solution Approach 1:
The panel is segmented as a separate component from the closure element. The panel serves as a protective cover that does not transmit closing forces to the closure element, while the closure element can still be operated independently through its own actuating means, eliminating the risk of unintentional closure through the panel
Solution Approach 2:
The support surface acts as an intermediary that supports the panel without transmitting forces to the closure element. This intermediary structure allows the panel to be touched or pressed without risking unintended closure of the drain
3Ease of operation
If the panel is supported by the closure element and projects beyond the bottom surface in the third position, then the panel can be grasped by hand for removal, but the appearance and positioning precision are compromised in other positions
Solution Approach 1:
The panel is designed as a separate removable component that can be easily grasped and removed when needed, while the closure element remains as a separate component that maintains the flush appearance. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function without compromise
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a basin with a drain opening (3) arranged in the base surface (2). It comprises a closure element (4) which can be selectively positioned in a first position, a second position and a third position by means of associated actuating means (26, 27, 28, 29, 30), wherein the second position is arranged between the first and the third position and wherein the closure element (4) in the first position is in sealing contact with a valve seat surface (5) surrounding the drain opening (3) and thereby closes the drain opening (3) in a liquid-tight manner, while in the second and third positions it releases the drain opening (3).The basin further comprises a cover plate (32) which, when the locking element (4) is in the first and second positions, is arranged essentially flush with the base surface (2) of the basin in a recess (33) in the basin base above the drain opening (3) and forms a circumferential drain gap (34) with the boundaries of the recess. When the locking element (4) is in the first and second positions, the cover plate (32) is supported by a support surface (35) within the recess (33). When the locking element (4) is in the third position, it is supported by the locking element (4) and extends beyond the base surface (2) of the basin. The invention ensures a consistently high-quality appearance with a cover plate that is precisely flush with the base surface and a uniformly wide circumferential drain gap. It also increases operational reliability.