Flush Control Plate Tub with Integrated Water Discharge

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional washbasin water discharge systems have a protruding overflow tube that complicates cleaning and aesthetics, and users often get wet when operating the valve.

Innovation Solution

A tub design with a compartmentalized water discharge system where the control plate is flush with the surface, allowing easy cleaning and concealing the actuating mechanism, and a removable overflow tube for maintenance, with water flow orifices to prevent stagnation and serve as an accessory holder.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a protruding overflow tube and actuating rod are used to enable water discharge, then the water discharge function is achieved, but the cleaning difficulty increases and the surface becomes less smooth

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater discharge functionVSAvoidcleaning ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The actuating rod is extracted from the protruding configuration and repositioned to operate from within the compartment. The control plate serves as the interface, allowing the rod to be actuated from inside the tub structure rather than protruding outward, thereby eliminating the cleaning difficulty while preserving the discharge function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The overflow tube and actuating mechanism are nested within the compartment structure. The compartment houses the discharge system components internally, with only the control plate visible on the surface, creating a nested configuration that maintains functionality while achieving a smooth exterior surface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of operation

If a protruding actuating rod is used to control the valve, then the valve can be actuated, but the surface area requiring cleaning increases and accessibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve actuationVSAvoidcleanable surface area

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The actuating rod is extracted from its traditional protruding position and relocated to operate from within the compartment. The control plate provides the interface, allowing valve actuation without extending beyond the tub surface, thereby reducing the cleanable surface area while maintaining operational capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The actuation interface is moved from a horizontal protrusion into the vertical dimension of the compartment structure. The control plate is positioned within the compartment depth, allowing operation in the third dimension rather than extending outward, thus reducing surface area while preserving accessibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If the control plate is positioned above the compartment opening, then it is easily accessible for operation, but water can reach the user's hands during operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol plate accessibilityVSAvoidwater exposure to user

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control plate is nested within the compartment structure, positioned at the opening level rather than protruding above it. This nesting configuration allows users to operate the control plate at the boundary of the compartment without their hands being exposed to water in the basin, eliminating the harmful water exposure while maintaining ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Reliability

If a traditional overflow tube configuration is used, then water overflow discharge is achieved, but the design complexity and cleaning difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoverflow discharge functionVSAvoidoverflow tube configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The overflow tube is merged with the compartment structure, forming an integrated configuration where the tube becomes part of the compartment wall or ceiling. This merging eliminates separate protruding components, reducing design complexity while maintaining the overflow discharge function and improving cleanability through a unified structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS9115485B2Tub with separate compartment with integrated water discharge system

Publication Date: 2015.08.25 KOHLER CO(US)

AI summary

A tub includes a receptacle suitable for containing water. The tub also includes a compartment communicating with a discharge orifice of the tub and including an opening emerging in one face of the tub. The tub also includes a communication orifice suitable for the passage of water from the receptacle to the compartment, the compartment housing a water discharge system. A control plate forms a cover in the opening of the compartment and is configured for actuating the opening and closing of the water discharge system, the control plate being flush with the surface of the face of the tub when the discharge system is in the open position.