Fiber Composite Shower Backer for Continuous Water Drainage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing water-resistant substrates used in construction, particularly in showers and areas exposed to high water volumes, are expensive to manufacture, time-consuming to apply, and not completely effective, allowing water to seep through over time and cause damage.

Innovation Solution

A building water-management system comprising fiber composite sheets with a porous fiber matrix and a surface layer, connected in a lapped configuration to form a continuous water drainage and repellant layer, providing superior water management, structural support, and thermal resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional water-resistant substrate materials are used, then water resistance is provided, but they are expensive to manufacture and time-consuming to apply

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater resistanceVSAvoidapplication speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The substrate is divided into multiple individual fiber composite sheets that can be independently handled and installed. Each sheet contains discrete fiber cores that collectively form the water-resistant barrier, allowing for modular installation that speeds up application while maintaining effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fiber composite sheets are designed as thin, flexible structures that can be easily maneuvered and installed on various surfaces. The thin-film nature of the sheets reduces installation time and complexity while providing adequate water resistance through the fiber core structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If conventional water-resistant substrate materials are used, then water resistance is provided, but they are expensive to manufacture

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater resistanceVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The fiber cores are designed with a porous structure that provides water resistance through capillary action and surface tension effects rather than requiring dense, expensive materials. The porosity allows the structure to repel water while using less material, reducing manufacturing costs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The substrate uses composite construction with fiber cores surrounded by a matrix material, combining different materials to achieve water resistance at lower cost. The composite structure provides the necessary protective function while using cost-effective material combinations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If conventional water-resistant substrate materials are used, then some water resistance is provided, but water can still seep through over time causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater resistanceVSAvoidwater damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The lapped configuration creates a continuous water-resistant barrier across the entire substrate surface. Adjacent fiber composite sheets overlap to eliminate gaps, ensuring uninterrupted water protection that prevents seepage over time and maintains consistent protective action

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The lapped configuration adds a dimensional aspect to the substrate assembly, creating overlapping layers that provide multi-directional water resistance. This layered approach blocks water from penetrating through gaps or defects in individual sheets

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 system effectively drains and repels water, preventing damage to base materials while offering structural support and improved thermal insulation, making it suitable for various building applications including showers, walls, and foundations.

Implementation Method 1

the porous fiber matrix of the fiber composite sheet captures and drains the water to the surface layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 2

the surface layer that is repellant to water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrophobic effect: Hydrophobe

Data Source

PatentUS9499981B2Water-management system

Publication Date: 2016.11.22 IBACOS

AI summary

A building water-management system (1) includes a base material (6) and fiber composite sheets (10, 20) attached to the base material (6). Each fiber composite sheet (10, 20) includes a fiber core (12) having a first side (13), an opposing second side (14), and a surface layer (16) adhered to the first side (13) of the fiber core (12). Adjacent fiber composite sheets (10, 20) are connected together by a lapped configuration (30) such that the surface layer (16) of a first fiber composite sheet (10) extends from the base material (6) and onto a fiber core (22) of an adjacent second fiber composite sheet (20) and the fiber cores (12, 22) of the first and second fiber composite sheets (10, 20) are aligned next to each other to allow water to flow between the fiber cores (12, 22), thereby forming a continuous water drainage and repellant layer. A shower assembly (90) using the fiber composite sheets (10, 20) is also disclosed.