Curved Shower Pan Threshold for Water Return Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shower pans and bathtubs with uniform thresholds on all sides fail to effectively direct errant water back to the drain area, leading to water loss and inefficiency in water containment.
Innovation Solution
A prefabricated shower pan or bathtub design featuring curved outer edges and an elevated front threshold dam, where the side ledges are angled to descend towards the drain area, preventing water from escaping and ensuring it returns to the drain, with the curved edges accommodating drywall or greenboard and directing water back to the threshold dam.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If uniform thresholds are used on all sides of the drain area, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but water containment effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different threshold heights to different sides of the drain area. Specifically, the front threshold dam has a higher elevation than the side ledges, creating localized quality differences that optimize water containment for each direction of water flow while maintaining overall system effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces asymmetric threshold design where the front threshold dam differs in height from the side ledges. This asymmetry addresses the specific problem of errant water on the front of the tub by creating a higher barrier in that direction, while side ledges remain lower to allow proper drainage flow.
2Productivity
If side ledges are angled to descend toward the drain area, then water return efficiency is improved, but structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates curved outer edges that transition smoothly from the side walls onto the angled top surface of the front threshold dam. These curved returns with an inner return width of approximately half an inch provide smooth water flow paths while accommodating drywall or greenboard installation, eliminating sharp angles and improving water return efficiency.
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 design effectively contains water within the enclosure by preventing it from running off the side ledges and ensuring it returns to the drain area, enhancing water retention and facilitating easy installation with subsequent tiling and wall covering.
Implementation Method 1
at least a portion of each side ledge is angled to descend away from the surrounding wall and toward the drain area
Data Source
AI summary
Described is a prefabricated bathtub or shower pan with curved outer edges and an elevated threshold that act as returning points for water. More specifically, the bathtub or shower pan are formed to include a drain area surrounded by interior sides and a threshold dam. A side ledge is formed atop each of the interior sides, each side ledge having a top edge. Surrounding walls rise from the top edge of each side ledge. Further, the threshold dam has an angled top surface with a lower edge. Notably, the lower edge of the angled top surface is higher than the top edge of each of the side ledges to prevent any water from running from the side ledges onto the threshold dam. The bathtub or shower pan also include curved outer edges that transition from a side wall and onto the threshold dam to return water to the drain area.