Modular Drain Block With Slope For Barrier-Free Shower Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drain devices for barrier-free shower or bath areas require precise prefabrication to match installation dimensions and fixed floor drain positions, limiting adaptability and flexibility during installation.
Innovation Solution
A modular drain device featuring an elongate, cuboid drain block with a drainage slope and a cover plate that forms a drainage gap, allowing for easy adaptation to existing dimensions and flexible floor drain positioning, with a recess for the floor drain and a spacer element for adjustable alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the drain device is prefabricated with precise dimensions and fixed floor drain position, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability to existing building dimensions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The drain device is divided into a modular system consisting of an elongated drain block and a separate floor drain unit. The drain block can be manufactured with precise dimensions, while the floor drain position can be adjusted independently within the drain block, allowing adaptation to different building conditions without compromising manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The floor drain is designed to be movable within the drain block structure, allowing its position to be dynamically adjusted during installation to match existing building dimensions and drain connections, while the overall drain block maintains its precise manufactured dimensions.
2Manufacturing precision
If the floor drain position is fixed in advance, then manufacturing precision is improved, but ease of installation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The drain system is segmented into the drain block and floor drain components, allowing the floor drain position to be determined during installation rather than being fixed during manufacturing, thus improving ease of installation while maintaining manufacturing precision of the drain block.
Solution Approach 2:
The drain block is prepared in advance with a recess and alignment features, but the actual floor drain position is determined during installation based on site conditions, combining preliminary preparation with flexible final positioning.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the drain block width corresponds to floor drain inlet diameter, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drain block is designed with a standardized width that corresponds to common floor drain inlet diameters, creating a universal interface that simplifies installation. This standardized dimension serves multiple functions: defining the drain block size, determining the inlet opening size, and establishing the overall device geometry, thereby reducing complexity through dimensional coordination.
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
Enables efficient water drainage while ensuring the shower or bath floor is barrier-free, allowing for easy installation and adjustment to various dimensions and positions, preventing water stagnation and facilitating maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
the upper side of which has a drainage slope transverse to its longitudinal direction relative to its underside
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The device has an elongate, cubical drain block (1) comprising an upper side with a draining inclination (4) transverse to a longitudinal direction against a lower side (3) of the drain block. Width of the drain block corresponds to the diameter of an inlet aperture (22) of a floor drain (12), which is installed into the drain block. The inlet aperture of the floor drain stays in connection with a lining of a lined upper side of the drain block. The inlet aperture is upwardly covered with a cover plate (23). The drain block is formed of plastic.