Floor Drain Depth-Adjustable Frame for Wall Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

The assembly of existing floor drains is complex and requires multiple specialists, involving intricate sealing work, making the process time-consuming and prone to errors.

Innovation Solution

The floor drain features depth- and height-adjustable connecting means with adjustable screws, a flexible sealing film, and a removable building protection panel, allowing for precise alignment and secure sealing to the vertical wall and floor structure, simplifying the installation process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a floor drain is installed in a vertical wall with traditional sealing methods, then the drain can be securely sealed to the wall and floor structure, but the assembly process becomes complex and requires multiple specialists

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing securityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The frame is made depth-adjustable using adjusting screws, allowing it to be dynamically adapted to different wall planking positions. This dynamic adjustment capability enables a single installer to achieve proper alignment and secure sealing without requiring multiple specialists, thus maintaining reliability while reducing assembly complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting means include depth-adjustable and height-adjustable frames that can be modified by changing their dimensional parameters. The adjusting screws enable precise control over the frame's position, allowing the seal to be optimally positioned against the wall and floor structure, simplifying the installation process while ensuring reliable sealing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If traditional sealing methods are used for floor drain installation, then the drain can be sealed to the wall, but the sealing work becomes intricate and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The frame is pre-adjusted to the correct depth and height positions using the adjusting screws before the final sealing is applied. This preliminary positioning ensures that the sealing film is already in the optimal location, eliminating the need for intricate and time-consuming sealing adjustments during installation, thus reducing installation time while maintaining sealing effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The adjusting screws act as intermediary mechanisms between the frame and the wall structure, enabling precise positioning of the frame relative to the wall planking. This intermediary adjustment capability simplifies the sealing process by allowing the seal to be easily positioned and secured without complex manual adjustments, reducing both time and complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the connecting means are made adjustable in depth and height, then the floor drain can be easily aligned with the wall and floor structure, but the connecting means become more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment easeVSAvoidconnecting means complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting means are divided into separate depth-adjustable and height-adjustable frame components, each with its own adjusting screws. This segmentation allows each degree of freedom to be adjusted independently and simply, making the alignment process easy while keeping each individual component relatively simple in design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2333171B1Floor drain for a sanitary installation and method for installing such a floor drain
Publication Date: 2013.02.13 GEBERIT INT AG
  • EP2333171B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2333171B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2333171B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The device (2) has an inlet housing comprising an opening through which floor water is to be led away, where the housing is connected to a wall drain opening (43) of a vertical wall. Connecting units including a depth-adjustable frame i.e. paneling frame, is arranged on the housing, where the connection units are adjustable by an adjusting screw engaged in the housing. The inlet housing is connected to the vertical wall using the connection units. The connecting units have an opening that is covered with a removable construction guard. An independent claim is also included for a method for installing a floor drain.