Lined Drain Channel Structure for Sealed Tile-Integrated Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drain systems face issues such as difficulty in cleaning, visibility, poor sealing, and safety due to metal surfaces, and require complex installation and maintenance, especially when integrating with tiled floors.
Innovation Solution
A lined drain channel with a discharge channel and collecting tray manufactured as a whole, featuring a plate-like lining element that ensures proper incline and sealing, allowing easy integration with surrounding flooring and reducing visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a tile grating is used to cover the drain, then visibility is reduced and aesthetics are improved, but cleaning and inspection become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The drain cover is segmented into a removable grating portion and a fixed frame portion. The grating can be easily removed for cleaning and inspection, while the frame remains fixed to maintain aesthetics. This segmentation allows the cover to serve both aesthetic and functional purposes without compromise.
2Loss of substance
If a smaller collecting tray is used, then tile cutting is reduced, but the number of inclining surfaces increases making installation more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple inclining surfaces are merged into a single integrated collecting tray structure with a unified bottom surface. The tray is designed with pre-formed inclination angles that direct water flow toward the drain, eliminating the need for multiple separate inclined planes and simplifying the overall installation process.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a recess is formed in the floor for the drain, then standard drains can be used, but sealing and incline correctness become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The collecting tray is pre-formed with the correct incline and sealing surfaces during manufacturing. The tray includes integrated gaskets or sealing flanges that ensure proper sealing before installation. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for precise on-site sealing work and ensures correct water flow inclination is achieved automatically.
4Illumination intensity
If metal drain strips are used, then design visibility is maintained, but slip resistance is reduced due to low surface roughness
Solution Approach 1:
The drain strip is constructed as a composite structure combining metal framework with a textured or coated surface layer. The metal provides structural integrity and visibility, while the surface layer (such as rubber coating or textured plastic) provides high friction and slip resistance. This composite approach maintains the aesthetic visibility of metal drains while eliminating the slip hazard.
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 solution provides a hygienic, safe, and easily maintainable drain system with improved sealing and integration with tiled floors, ensuring efficient water discharge and reduced leakage.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one plate-like lining element can be adhered to the bottom surface, for instance with tile adhesive or a mastic.
Implementation Method 2
The elongate bottom surface rises from the upper edge, and the height of the upright walls arranged on either side decreases correspondingly.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a lined drain channel (4), which drain channel comprises: - a collecting tray with a bottom (5) and upright walls (6), wherein the upper edges (7) of the upright walls (6) define an inflow opening (8) and wherein the collecting tray has an outlet opening (9); - at least one discharge channel (10, 11, 12) with an elongate bottom surface and upright walls arranged in longitudinal direction and on either side of the elongate bottom surface, wherein at a first end side of the discharge channel the elongate bottom surface is arranged on an upper edge of the collecting tray and wherein the second end side of the discharge channel forms an open side of the discharge channel; - at least one plate-like lining element (15), arranged on the elongate bottom surface of the discharge channel.