Linear Wall Drain with Magnetic Removable Faceplate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Linear wall drains are difficult to clean and maintain due to their low-profile design, and existing solutions for removable face plates are challenging to install and maintain, with uneven surfaces and sharp edges that can cause injuries and debris accumulation.
Innovation Solution
A linear wall drain design featuring a stainless steel elongated body with a recessed front wall and a detachable faceplate held by magnetic enclosures, allowing for easy access and alignment, with rounded or beveled edges for safety and smooth tile installation, and a secure attachment mechanism that can be replaced without disassembling the faceplate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the drain opening is designed to be very low profile to conceal the drain, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the accessibility for cleaning the pan deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The drain assembly is divided into separate components: a fixed low-profile opening structure for aesthetic concealment, and a removable faceplate that provides access to the pan. This segmentation allows the opening to remain visually concealed while the faceplate can be removed for cleaning, resolving the contradiction between aesthetic appearance and cleaning accessibility.
2Ease of operation
If magnets are positioned on an outer face of the TileIn Cover, then the faceplate can be detachably affixed, but the installation complexity increases due to multiple layers covering the magnets
Solution Approach 1:
The magnets are extracted from the TileIn Cover and repositioned on the backside of the faceplate. This eliminates the need for multiple layers (Transition Tape, Thin Set, Tile) to cover the magnets, simplifying the installation process while maintaining the detachable attachment function.
3Ease of manufacture
If the faceplate is made with sharp edges for structural integrity, then the manufacturing is easier, but the safety deteriorates as sharp edges can cut hands
Solution Approach 1:
The faceplate edges are designed with rounded or beveled profiles instead of sharp corners. This curvature modification maintains the structural integrity of the faceplate while eliminating the hand-cutting hazard, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and safety.
4Reliability
If the faceplate attachment mechanism is made robust for multiple removals, then the reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical attachment system is replaced with a magnetic field-based attachment mechanism. Magnets embedded in the faceplate interact with a magnetic barrier or magnetic strip in the drain body, providing a robust yet simple attachment that withstands multiple removals without degrading, while avoiding complex mechanical fasteners or latches.
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
Facilitates easy cleaning and maintenance of the drain while ensuring a smooth and even tile installation, providing a robust and secure attachment that maintains alignment and prevents debris accumulation, with a design that conceals the drain from casual view while allowing water to flow freely.
Implementation Method 1
a first magnet positioned on the recessed front wall and a second magnet positioned on the detachable faceplate. The first magnet is adapted to interact with the second magnet to hold the detachable faceplate in position
Data Source
AI summary
A linear wall drain that includes a removable faceplate and is adapted to be secured to a recessed front wall, the faceplate including at least one magnet that is affixed to a front surface of the recessed front wall and at least one magnet affixed to a rear surface of the faceplate such that the two magnets will removeably hold the faceplate to the recessed front wall when the two magnets are aligned.