Door Splash Guard Elastic Member Ventilation Water Barrier

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing splash guard arrangements for doors in wet areas fail to effectively prevent splash water from entering dry areas while maintaining necessary ventilation, leading to potential damage to building structures and inadequate humidity control.

Innovation Solution

A splash guard arrangement featuring an elastic member protruding from an open space in the door, adjustable fixing means, and a support member that allows for ventilation and easy assembly, preventing splash water from reaching the door's inner material.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If a gap is arranged between the threshold and the door to ensure ventilation, then ventilation of the wet area is improved, but splash water can enter the dry area and cause damage

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveventilationVSAvoidsplash water entry
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible splash guard element that can be positioned within the gap between the door and threshold. This flexible barrier prevents splash water from entering the dry area while allowing the gap to remain open for ventilation purposes, thus resolving the contradiction between ventilation and water protection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The splash guard acts as an intermediary element positioned between the wet area (below threshold) and the dry area (above threshold). It mediates the interaction by blocking splash water while permitting air flow through the gap, enabling both ventilation and protection functions to coexist

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a sealing mechanism is used to prevent water entry, then protection against splash water is improved, but ventilation capability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesplash water preventionVSAvoidventilation
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The gap between the door and threshold is segmented into two functional zones: an upper region for ventilation air flow and a lower region for splash water blocking. The splash guard is positioned to occupy only the lower portion of the gap, allowing the upper portion to remain open for ventilation, thus segmenting the single gap into dual-function zones

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a fixed splash guard position is used, then water protection is improved, but adaptability to different door configurations is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesplash water blockingVSAvoidadjustability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The splash guard is designed with dynamic positioning capabilities, allowing it to be adjusted to different heights and positions within the gap. This dynamic adaptability enables the same splash guard to accommodate various door configurations, threshold heights, and gap dimensions while maintaining effective water blocking functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 durable, cost-effective, and maintenance-free splash guard that can be easily retrofitted to doors, ensuring effective prevention of splash water entry while maintaining airflow and protecting the door's inner structure.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic member protruding from the open space for preventing splash of water from passing by the door

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4001578B1Splash guard arrangement for a door, a door comprising a splash guard arrangement and a method for arranging a splash guard arrangement in a door
Publication Date: 2024.03.06 PANELIA WOODS
  • EP4001578B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The present invention pertains to a splash guard arrangement for a door. Sufficient ventilation is required in wet spaces, such as bathrooms. However, the gap between a door and a threshold may cause damages to hidden interior structure of buildings and to floor construction. A splash guard arrangement (100) according to the present invention is arrangeable in an open space (102), which is arranged in a door (104). It comprises an elastic member (106) protruding from the open space (102), and at least one fixing means (108) for fixing the elastic member (106) in the open space (102) so that enabling ventilation via the open space (102).