Lateral-Exit Drainage Device to Reduce Shower Floor Assembly Height

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drainage devices for damp rooms, such as showers, require significant floor work and assembly efforts due to their thickness, which can be costly and inconvenient, especially in barrier-free shower installations.

Innovation Solution

A drainage device with a plate-shaped part having a thickness of less than 60 mm, where the drain body does not protrude and lacks an odor trap, featuring lateral connecting means for water exit, and an integrated pump for efficient water removal, reducing installation height and assembly complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing drainage devices are used, then effective water management is achieved, but significant floor work and assembly efforts are required due to thickness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater management effectivenessVSAvoidassembly effort
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The drainage device transitions from a vertical protrusion design to a lateral connection design. The connecting means are arranged laterally on the outside of the plate-shaped part, moving the connection interface from the vertical dimension to the horizontal dimension, thereby eliminating the need for floor work and reducing assembly complexity while maintaining drainage functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The odor trap function is extracted from the traditional vertical drain structure and integrated into the lateral connection system. The drain body does not protrude downwards, and the odor trap is eliminated as a separate component, simplifying the overall structure and reducing assembly requirements while maintaining water management effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If traditional drain bodies protruding downwards are used, then odor trap function is achieved, but installation height increases and assembly becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveodor trap functionVSAvoidinstallation height
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The connection interface is relocated from the vertical dimension to the horizontal dimension. The connecting means are positioned laterally on the outside of the plate-shaped part, allowing waste water to exit laterally rather than vertically. This dimensional shift reduces installation height while maintaining the odor trap function through the lateral connection design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Stability of the object's composition

If plate-shaped parts with greater thickness are used, then structural stability is improved, but floor modifications are required and assembly time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The plate-shaped part is designed with an optimized thickness of less than 60 mm, which is sufficient to maintain structural stability for the intended application. This parameter optimization eliminates the need for floor modifications and reduces assembly time, as the thinner profile can be installed without requiring extensive floor work while still providing adequate structural support.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 design simplifies assembly by eliminating the need for floor modifications and reduces the installation height, allowing for easier installation and reduced assembly time while maintaining effective water management.

Implementation Method 1

The drain device comprises a pump which can pump water out of the drain device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPumping: Pump

Data Source

PatentEP2221420B1Drainage device
Publication Date: 2020.06.03 DALLMER GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2221420B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2221420B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2221420B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

The device has a drainage unit (1) with an inlet opening (3) into which waste water can enter. The drainage unit has an outlet opening from which the waste water can leave. A plate-shaped part (2) is a part of a bottom of a moisture-prone area. A connecting unit is provided for connecting the drainage unit with a pump (9). The plate-shaped part has an upper side, lower side and an outer side in an operating position. The connecting unit is designed such that the waste water leaves from the outer side of the plate-shaped part. An independent claim is also included for a moisture-prone area comprising a drainage device.