Flat surface for sinks and shower pans with drainage by means of channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current shower and sink designs with flat surfaces and interconnected channels for drainage often require multiple components and lack a mechanism to prevent large objects from clogging the drain, leading to inefficiencies and increased production costs.
Innovation Solution
A flat surface made from a single volume of material, such as stone or concrete, featuring radially connected channels that act as a grate to prevent clogging, with deeper channels near the drain for enhanced water flow and partial grooves to prevent spillage, allowing water to drain into a single integrated drain system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If multiple components are used to create flat surfaces with drainage channels, then the drainage function can be achieved, but the production cost increases and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate components (flat surface, drainage channels, and grate function) into a single integrated component. The flat surface is made as one piece with channels formed directly within it, eliminating the need for separate drainage assemblies and reducing production costs while maintaining the drainage function.
Solution Approach 2:
The flat surface component performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the draining function through integrated channels, acts as a structural support surface, and serves as a grate to prevent large objects from entering the drain. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components needed.
2Reliability
If traditional drainage systems are used without integrated grate protection, then water drainage is achieved, but large objects can enter and clog the drain
Solution Approach 1:
The grate function is merged with the flat surface and drainage channel structure. The channels themselves are designed to act as the grate, with their walls preventing large objects from entering while allowing water to pass through. This integration maintains reliability by preventing clogs without adding separate grate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The drainage channels serve dual purposes: they guide water flow toward the drain and simultaneously act as a physical barrier (grate) to prevent large objects from entering. This multi-functionality provides clogging prevention without increasing structural complexity.
3Reliability
If channels are made with sufficient thickness to prevent objects from entering, then clogging is prevented, but water flow capability may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The channel walls are designed with localized thickness variations - thicker at the edges to prevent object entry and thinner in the center to allow efficient water flow. This local quality differentiation maintains both clogging prevention and drainage efficiency without compromise.
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
This solution reduces production costs by eliminating the need for multiple components and effectively prevents clogging while ensuring efficient water drainage, making it suitable for sinks and shower pans.
Implementation Method 1
the channels direct the water towards a lower concave tray and from there to the drain
Data Source
Figure 1~3
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AI summary
The invention relates to a flat surface for sinks and shower pans with drainage by means of channels, which, as a single component, has a flat upper surface (1) in which interconnected radial and peripheral channels (2) are made, which guide the water to a drain (3) arranged in the lower part thereof. Partial grooves (4) run between the channels (2), said grooves having a recess to prevent the water from spilling over. The upper flat surface (1) is arranged over a concave water collection tray (5) which leads into the drain (3).