Modular Floor Drain System with Symmetric Flanges

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modular shower pan systems face challenges in easy assembly and maintaining waterproofing, with existing interlocking designs allowing water seepage and compromising structural integrity.

Innovation Solution

A modular floor drain system comprising symmetric substrate segments with outwardly extending flanges for overlapping and connecting, including a drain segment, and featuring hinges for flexibility and increased bonding with adhesive, ensuring easy installation and waterproofing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If modular shower pan systems use interlocking pieces with outwardly extending projections and recesses, then assembly ease is improved, but waterproofing deteriorates due to openings or cracks between interlocking pieces allowing water seepage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly easeVSAvoidwaterproofing

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A flexible waterproofing membrane is introduced as an intermediary layer between the modular shower pan pieces and the subfloor. This membrane fills and seals the gaps and cracks between interlocking projections and recesses, preventing water seepage while maintaining the ease of modular assembly. The membrane acts as a mediator that preserves both the assembly advantage and the waterproofing requirement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If single-body prefabricated shower pans are used, then waterproofing is improved, but handling and installation difficulty increases due to large size

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovewaterproofingVSAvoidhandling ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The shower pan is divided into multiple smaller modular pieces that can be easily handled and transported. These segmented pieces are designed with interlocking mechanisms and are covered by a continuous flexible waterproofing membrane, achieving both ease of handling and reliable waterproofing that would be difficult with a single large piece.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If modular shower pan systems are assembled with gaps between pieces, then assembly flexibility is improved, but water seepage increases compromising structural integrity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly flexibilityVSAvoidwater seepage

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A flexible waterproofing membrane is applied over the entire assembled modular shower pan system. This thin film conformally covers the modular pieces and fills any gaps or cracks between them, preventing water seepage while allowing the underlying modular structure to maintain its assembly flexibility and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS20230210315A1Tileable modular floor system and drain

Publication Date: 2023.07.06 LATICRETE INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

Modular floor drain systems that include symmetric substrate segments each having outwardly extending flanges for overlapping an adjacent edge of the other substrate segment. The system also includes a drain segment connected to the two or more symmetric substrate segments via at least one of the outwardly extending flanges. The symmetric substrate segments have identical configurations enabling interchangeable use thereof and complementary mating for ease of installation of the modular floor drain system. The substrate segments may have hinges for bending the symmetric substrate segment to allow for folding thereof.