Concealed Height Adjustment for Shower Tile Frames
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shower drain systems have visible adjusting means that impede cleaning and are not concealed, making them aesthetically unpleasing and difficult to maintain.
Innovation Solution
The adjusting means are integrated into the tile frame or placed on its outer side, concealed by an elastic mastic layer, and utilize mechanisms like pins, wedge-shaped parts, and coupling elements to adjust the height, ensuring they are hidden from view and easy to clean.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If adjusting means are arranged on the tile frame to enable height adjustment, then the tile frame height is adjustable, but the adjusting means become visible through the grating openings and impede cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The adjusting means are extracted from the visible area by placing them on the outer side of the tile frame, between the tiles and the tile frame body. This separates the functional element from the aesthetic and cleaning-accessible areas, resolving the contradiction between adjustability and visibility/cleaning obstruction.
Solution Approach 2:
An elastic mastic layer is introduced as an intermediary material that fills the space between the tiles and the tile frame. This mastic conceals the adjusting means from view while allowing them to remain functional, thus resolving the visibility issue without compromising the height adjustment capability.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If adjusting means are placed on the outer side of the tile frame, then they are concealed by elastic mastic, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The adjusting means are integrated with the tile frame structure by incorporating them into the upright edge or positioning them on the outer surface. This merging approach combines the adjustment function with the existing frame structure, achieving concealment without significantly increasing overall structural complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a clean and aesthetically pleasing shower drain system where the adjusting mechanisms are fully concealed, facilitating easier maintenance and adjustment while maintaining a flush finish with the tiles.
Implementation Method 1
a pin resting on the rising surface and slidable over the surface
Implementation Method 2
a for instance wedge-shaped part is pushed under the pin, whereby the height of the tile frame can as a result be set
Implementation Method 3
Since this space is normally filled with an elastic mastic, the adjusting means are hereby fully concealed from view
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a shower drain, comprising: - a tray with a bottom surface and upright side walls arranged along the periphery; - a height-adjustable tile frame arranged in the tray and having at least an upright edge; and - a grating arranged in the tray; wherein adjusting means are arranged at least in contact with the upright edge of the tile frame for the purpose of height adjustment of the tile frame.