Expandable Mounting Sleeve for Variable Wall Niche Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wall-hung bathroom fixture mounting systems face challenges in adapting to varying niche dimensions and shapes, often resulting in installation difficulties and potential damage to components, particularly due to the need for precise positioning and interference between sleeve and niche walls.
Innovation Solution
A kit comprising an expansible sleeve with a first element and a second element that can be coaxially engaged via a screw coupling, allowing axial length adjustment to fit different niche sizes, along with a maneuvering tool for rotating the second element to lock the sleeve in place, and an anchoring pin for secure attachment to the bearing structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed-length plastic sleeve is used in the niche, then the positioning and anchoring of the bathroom fixture can be achieved, but the system cannot adapt to varying niche dimensions and shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve is designed with an expandable structure consisting of a first element and a second element that can be coaxially engaged. The axial length of the sleeve can be dynamically adjusted by rotating the second element relative to the first element through screw coupling, allowing adaptation to different niche dimensions while maintaining a relatively simple base structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The sleeve's axial length parameter can be changed by rotating the second element with respect to the first element. This parameter change enables the sleeve to adapt to various niche dimensions and shapes, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and structural simplicity.
2Ease of operation
If the plastic sleeve is positioned before mounting with low or null visibility, then the installation process can proceed, but precise positioning becomes difficult and elements may not be correctly aligned
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve is made transparent or translucent, allowing the operator to visually observe the positioning and alignment of the sleeve within the niche during installation. This transparency enables precise positioning even when the niche is not easily visible from the outside, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and positioning precision.
3Reliability
If brushes or spongy pads are added to the sleeve to ensure interference with niche walls, then positioning stability is improved, but damage can occur to these elements during storage and handling
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning function is separated from the protective function. Instead of adding fragile brushes or spongy pads to the sleeve, the system uses a separate anchoring pin that provides the necessary interference and positioning stability. The sleeve itself remains structurally simple and resistant to damage during storage and handling, while the anchoring pin ensures reliable positioning within the niche.
4Reliability
If anchoring elements are required on the rear surface of the bathroom fixture, then secure anchoring can be achieved, but the installation becomes more complex and requires additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The anchoring function is extracted from the rear surface mounting approach and integrated into the sleeve-anchoring pin system accessible from the front. The anchoring pin passes through the expandable sleeve and engages with the bearing structure, providing secure anchoring without requiring additional anchoring elements on the rear surface of the bathroom fixture, thus simplifying the overall fixing system.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
Figure 6A
AI summary
A kit is disclosed for installing bathroom fixtures or other objects to be hung to a wall. The kit comprises a sleeve (1) having a first element (1a) with a through axial cavity (101) and a second element (1 b) that can coaxially engage the first element (1a). A screw coupling (107, 117) is also provided between the first element (1a) and the second element ( 1b), with a first thread ( 107) at a first end of the first element ( 1a) and a second thread ( 117) on the second element (1b), that can engage the first thread ( 107). The screw coupling is so configured that when the first thread (107) and the second thread (117) engage each other, the reciprocal rotation between the first element (1a) and the second element (1b) causes a change in the axial length of the sleeve (1). The second element (1 b) of the sleeve (1) comprises a connection means (123) so configured and arranged to be engaged by means of a maneuvering tool (125) through the through axial cavity (101).