Curbless Shower Floor Pan for Accessible Waterproof Transitions

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a lack of handicapped-accessible waterproof shower modules that integrate with tiled bathroom floor modules and floor drains, and existing solutions do not provide a seamless, curbless transition between the shower and bathroom subfloor, leading to water intrusion issues.

Innovation Solution

A prefabricated modular system combining a waterproof shower module with a handicapped-accessible floor pan and integrated ramp or floor extension, both of which can be tiled, creating a contiguous surface and preventing water intrusion through the use of drain apertures and a barrier-free threshold edge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a traditional shower enclosure with raised threshold is used, then water containment is improved, but handicapped accessibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater containmentVSAvoidhandicapped accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The shower system is divided into separate modular components: a shower enclosure module and a bathroom floor module with integrated pan. This segmentation allows the threshold to be minimized or eliminated while maintaining water containment through the integrated pan and drain system, resolving the contradiction between accessibility and water containment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An integrated floor pan and drain system acts as an intermediary between the shower enclosure and bathroom floor. This intermediary component captures and redirects water away from the subfloor while providing a smooth, accessible transition surface, eliminating the need for a raised threshold.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If a curbless or low curb entry is used, then handicapped accessibility is improved, but water intrusion risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandicapped accessibilityVSAvoidwater intrusion

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The floor pan and drain system are pre-integrated into the bathroom floor module before final installation. This preliminary integration ensures proper water drainage pathways are established in advance, preventing water intrusion while maintaining curbless accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated floor pan serves as a mediator that intercepts water before it can intrude onto the subfloor. It provides a smooth transition surface for accessibility while simultaneously managing water drainage through the pre-configured drain system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If separate shower module and floor module are used, then manufacturing flexibility is improved, but installation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing flexibilityVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shower module and floor module are designed to mate together as an integrated system with complementary edges and pre-configured drain connections. This merging approach maintains the manufacturing flexibility of separate modules while simplifying installation through pre-established integration points and alignment features.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If a raised threshold is used, then water containment is improved, but installation simplicity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater containmentVSAvoidinstallation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments water containment functionality from the threshold structure itself, placing it instead in the integrated floor pan and drain system. This allows for a simple, flush installation while maintaining effective water containment through the pan's design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS8561224B2Handicapped accessible shower enclosure with ramp and/or floor pan

Publication Date: 2013.10.22 TILE REDI LTD

AI summary

A bathroom floor module is used in conjunction with a fully or partially curbless, handicapped-accessible, waterproof shower module. The bathroom floor module defines one or more drain apertures to mate with a bathroom floor drain. The bathroom floor module and shower module mate to define a contiguous surface over which a bathroom floor and/or wall tile can be applied to create a transition between the bathroom floor and shower over which a wheelchair can be easily rolled. Installation of the handicapped accessible shower comprises installing the shower module, by adhering the bathroom floor module on the bathroom floor, placing an edge of the bathroom floor module in registry with an edge of the shower module, sealing the joint formed between the edges of the shower and bathroom modules, and installing a finishing surface material over the floor and sidewalls of the shower module, and over the bathroom floor module and threshold.