Modular Floor Drain with Removable Inclined Molded Part

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing floor drain devices require complex and costly production, and are inflexible in adapting to local conditions or design requirements, especially when multiple gradient areas are needed in shower installations.

Innovation Solution

A modular device comprising a molded part and a receptacle, where the molded part can be easily inserted, removed, or adjusted, allowing for variable configuration and design changes, with options for different materials and gradients to simplify installation and maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a one-piece molded part with multi-slope contour is used, then the gradient areas are formed, but the production cost increases and adaptability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegradient area formationVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into separate components: a base body and a molded part that can be produced independently and assembled together. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured using simpler, less expensive processes while maintaining the overall gradient functionality when assembled.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If a one-piece molded part with multi-slope contour is used, then the gradient areas are formed, but the adaptability to local conditions decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegradient area formationVSAvoidadaptability to local conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The molded part is designed to be removable and replaceable, allowing the gradient configuration to be dynamically adjusted or adapted to different local conditions and design requirements. This enables flexibility in installation locations and configuration modifications without requiring custom one-piece components for each scenario.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If multiple gradient areas are created in screed or shower tray, then the drain function is achieved, but the manual or mechanical effort increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrain functionVSAvoidmanual or mechanical effort
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The gradient areas are pre-formed on the molded part during its manufacturing process, rather than requiring manual or mechanical creation of multiple gradient zones during installation. This preliminary formation of gradients significantly reduces the labor and mechanical effort required during installation while ensuring reliable drainage function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Stability of the object's composition

If the molded part is firmly connected to the receptacle, then the structural stability increases, but the ease of cleaning and replacement decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidease of cleaning and replacement
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The connection between the molded part and receptacle is designed to be dynamically adjustable - firmly connected during normal use to maintain structural stability, but easily separable when cleaning or replacement is needed. This dynamic connection state allows the system to switch between stability and ease of maintenance as required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3366852B1Device for floor drain in the floor of a room
Publication Date: 2021.04.07 DALLMER GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3366852B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3366852B1 patent drawingFigure 3~8
  • EP3366852B1 patent drawingFigure 9~10

AI summary

Device (1) for a floor drain, in particular spaced apart from a wall, in the floor of a room, comprising an opening (4, 5) for the passage of water into the floor drain (6) arranged below the device (1), at least one upper surface (7, 8) in the operating position, which is inclined relative to the horizontal in the installed state of the device (1) so that the water can flow over the at least one inclined upper surface (7, 8) to the opening (4, 5), as well as a molded part (2) and a receptacle (3) by which the molded part (2) is received at least section by section, wherein the upper surface (7, 8) inclined relative to the horizontal in the installed state of the device (1) is arranged or formed on the molded part (2).