Covered Shower Drain With Anti-Vortex Ribs for Higher Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shower base receptors with covered drains experience reduced flow rates due to vortex formation, leading to water accumulation and discomfort from standing in drain water, as existing solutions like anti-vortex drains are too large or cumbersome for shower applications.
Innovation Solution
A base and drain assembly with a recessed drain well and a drain cover featuring radially converging anti-vortex ribs that disrupt vortices, maintaining a constant peripheral passage dimension and enhancing flow rates while allowing comfortable standing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a covered drain is used in a shower base, then the standing surface area is improved and comfort is enhanced, but the flow rate through the drain is reduced due to vortex formation
Solution Approach 1:
The drain cover is segmented into multiple radial sections with alternating patterns of vortex-disrupting ribs and open passages. This segmentation allows water to flow through multiple discrete paths rather than forming a single vortex, maintaining flow rate while providing a covered standing surface.
Solution Approach 2:
Vortex-disrupting ribs are introduced as intermediary elements within the drain cover structure. These ribs act as mediators that break up the vortex formation without blocking the overall flow path, enabling both covered surface area and maintained flow rate.
2Area of stationary object
If a conventional grate is used to cover the drain, then the standing surface area is improved, but the openings in the grate make it uncomfortable to stand on with bare feet
Solution Approach 1:
The drain cover provides a smooth, solid standing surface in the central area where users stand, while the peripheral region contains the vortex-disrupting ribs and flow passages. This local differentiation allows comfortable standing on the smooth surface while maintaining drainage function at the periphery.
3Productivity
If the drain opening is reduced in size, then the flow rate might be improved by reducing vortex formation, but the drain passage area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The vortex-disrupting ribs extend vertically from the drain cover surface into the water flow path, adding a vertical dimension to the flow control mechanism. This allows the ribs to disrupt vortices in the vertical flow direction while the horizontal passage area remains sufficient for maintaining flow rate.
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 increases the flow rate through the drain by up to 11% compared to uncovered drains of the same opening dimension, preventing water accumulation and ensuring a comfortable standing surface.
Implementation Method 1
The drain cover has one or more anti-vortex ribs extending along an underside of the drain cover and toward the drain opening proximate the drain opening so as to disrupt a vortex in the water passing through the drain opening
Implementation Method 2
The peripheral passage extends between the drain cover perimeter and the drain well perimeter and allows water flow therebetween
Data Source
AI summary
A shower enclosure base has a flow enhancing flush-mounted drain cover that conceals the drain opening and provides a flat stepping surface. Drain flow is achieved through a narrow peripheral passage between the drain cover and the drain well in which it is seated. Despite the reduced flow area of passage, flow enhancing features of the drain cover serve to improve the flow rate through the drain. These features are radially converging ribs at the underside of the drain cover that interrupt the natural tendency for drain water to form a vortex as it passes into and through a circular drain opening. The drain cover can be removably secured to the base by suction cups that attach to the drain well.