Flexible Shower Dam Assembly to Reduce Stress and Breakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shower dams are prone to breaking and require frequent replacement due to high stress areas when flexed, as they are rigidly secured to the shower receptor.
Innovation Solution
A shower dam assembly with a flexible shower dam that can be repositioned between normal and flexed positions, featuring a shower dam base with a groove and a pivotable shower dam insert, allowing the dam to rotate within the groove and reduce stress on the flexing portion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the shower dam is rigidly secured to the shower receptor, then the connection strength is improved, but the stress concentration during flexing increases causing breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The shower dam is divided into multiple portions (first portion, second portion, third portion) with different functional characteristics. The first portion provides rigid sealing connection to the shower receptor, the second portion provides flexible stress-absorbing connection to the floor, and the third portion provides rigid vertical barrier function. This segmentation allows each portion to optimize its mechanical properties for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between connection strength and resistance to breaking.
2Reliability
If the shower dam is made flexible to reduce stress, then the lifespan is improved, but the sealing effectiveness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the shower dam are assigned different mechanical qualities tailored to their specific functions. The first portion (sealing portion) is made rigid to ensure effective sealing against the shower receptor. The second portion (flexing portion) is made flexible to absorb stress and extend lifespan. The third portion (vertical dam portion) is made rigid to provide effective water barrier function. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between flexibility for lifespan and rigidity for sealing effectiveness.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the shower dam is rigidly connected, then the structural stability is improved, but the ease of operation for user entry and exit deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The shower dam transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic structure with controlled flexibility. The second portion is designed to flex dynamically in response to user interaction, allowing the dam to move slightly during entry and exit operations. This dynamic behavior maintains structural stability through the rigid first and third portions while providing ease of operation through the flexible second portion that can accommodate user movement.
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 flexible design extends the lifespan of the shower dam, enhances user experience by facilitating easy entry and exit, and reduces stress on the dam, thereby minimizing the need for replacement.
Implementation Method 1
allowing the dam to rotate within the groove and reduce stress on the flexing portion
Implementation Method 2
The sealing portion extends from the shower dam insert and seals an area between the shower receptor and the shower dam
Data Source
AI summary
A shower dam assembly for mitigating water egress from a shower receptor includes a shower dam base and a shower dam. The shower dam base is coupled to a shower receptor and includes a groove extending along at least a portion of the shower dam base. The shower dam includes a shower dam insert and a flexing portion. The shower dam insert is configured to be received within the groove to removably couple the shower dam to the shower dam base. The flexing portion extends from the shower dam insert and is configured to flex between a normal position in which the flexing portion extends at least partially upward from the shower dam insert and a flexed position in which the flexing portion extends from the shower dam insert at an angle relative to the normal position.