Fiber-Reinforced Sanitary Basin Structure Against Stress Cracks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Large-volume, three-dimensionally extending molded sanitary basin parts, such as kitchen sinks, face challenges in handling and mechanical stability due to high mass and susceptibility to stress cracks from hot and cold loads, requiring enhanced functional properties and surface appearance.

Innovation Solution

A molded sanitary basin part with a base body made from a composite material and a cover layer featuring a fiber fabric impregnated with a hardened binder, where the warp and weft fibers form a 90° angle, providing mechanical stability and resistance to stress cracks, and a translucent top layer that showcases the fibrous tissue for aesthetic appeal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the sanitary basin part is made as a large-volume, three-dimensionally extending molded part with high mass, then the mechanical stability and structural integrity are improved, but the handling becomes more difficult and the susceptibility to breakage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical stabilityVSAvoidhandling
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the sanitary basin part into two distinct segments: a base body providing mechanical stability and a separate cover layer providing surface quality. This segmentation allows the heavy, structurally critical base to be optimized for strength while the cover layer can be optimized for surface properties and easier handling, resolving the contradiction between mechanical stability and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies different material qualities to different parts of the sanitary basin: the base body uses composite material optimized for mechanical stability and load-bearing, while the cover layer uses material optimized for surface quality and aesthetics. This local differentiation of material properties allows each part to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Manufacturing precision

If the surface of the molded sanitary basin part is made with extremely high quality, then the optical appearance is improved, but the susceptibility to stress cracks from hot and cold loads increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface qualityVSAvoidresistance to stress cracks
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the surface function (cover layer) from the structural function (base body), the invention allows the cover layer to achieve high manufacturing precision and optical quality without requiring the entire structure to withstand thermal stresses. The base body, designed for thermal resistance, absorbs the stress cracks while the cover layer maintains its aesthetic quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite materials in both the base body and cover layer, combining materials with complementary properties. The base body uses composite material for thermal stability and stress resistance, while the cover layer uses composite material for surface quality and aesthetics, creating a multi-layer composite structure that resolves the contradiction between surface quality and stress resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If high-quality resins and complex process control are used to prevent stress cracks, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresistance to stress cracksVSAvoidprocess control
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention simplifies the overall process control by dividing the product into modular segments (base body and cover layer) that can be manufactured and controlled separately. This segmentation reduces the complexity of process control compared to manufacturing a single monolithic structure, while still achieving high reliability through the specialized design of each segment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention incorporates stress-resistant design features into the base body structure before the cover layer is applied. By pre-engineering the base body to withstand thermal stresses and preventing stress cracks at the source, the need for complex process control during final assembly is reduced, simplifying the overall manufacturing process while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 enhances the mechanical stability and impact resistance of the sanitary basin part, preventing stress cracks and improving the visual appearance, while ensuring high durability and aesthetic quality.

Implementation Method 1

a molded sanitary basin part with a base body made from a composite material and a cover layer featuring a fiber fabric impregnated with a hardened binder

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectComposite materials: Composite Materials

Data Source

PatentEP3068611B1Sanitary basin moulded part
Publication Date: 2018.10.17 SCHOCK & CO GMBH
  • EP3068611B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a sanitary basin moulded part, for example a kitchen sink, a washbasin or a shower tray, having a main part (10) which has the shape of the sanitary basin moulded part and ensures the mechanical stability thereof, characterized in that on the visible side of the sanitary basin moulded part a covering layer (20) is arranged in at least one surface region on top of the main part (10), which covering layer comprises a fibrous tissue (24) saturated with a cured binding agent. The invention further relates to a method for producing a sanitary basin moulded part of this kind.