Modular Sanitary Frame with Releasable Connections

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Solution Overview

Problem

The complexity and variety of existing frame structures for sanitary elements require extensive warehousing and long lead times to provide requested variants, due to differences in height, width, and connection types.

Innovation Solution

A modular frame structure with a module carrier, head part, and foot part, featuring repeatably releasable connections and adjustable height compensations, allowing for standardized installation of various sanitary elements with reduced variant complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple different frame structures are provided to accommodate different sanitary elements, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and warehousing requirements worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The frame structure uses a universal module carrier design that can accommodate different sanitary elements (toilets, bidets, washbasins, shower toilets) through standardized receptacles and connections. The module carrier serves multiple functions: supporting various sanitary elements, providing height adjustment, and integrating different connection types (flush water lines, drains, electrical connections) in a single standardized platform, thereby reducing the need for multiple specialized frame variants

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The frame structure is divided into separable modules: the module carrier, head section, foot section, and various connection components can be independently assembled and disassembled. This segmentation allows the same module carrier to be configured for different sanitary elements by simply changing the attached components rather than requiring entirely different frame structures, reducing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple frame variants with different heights, widths, and connections are manufactured, then adaptability is improved, but loss of time in providing requested variants worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidlead time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The module carrier incorporates adjustable height mechanisms with multiple receptacle positions that can be configured during installation to match different sanitary element requirements. This dynamic adjustability eliminates the need to manufacture and store multiple fixed-height frame variants, allowing the same base module to be quickly adapted to different height requirements on-site

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The standardized module carrier design with universal receptacles and connection points can accommodate different sanitary elements and connection types through configuration rather than manufacturing variants. This universality allows any requested variant to be assembled from the same core component, dramatically reducing lead time from weeks to days or hours

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If extensive warehousing inventory is maintained for different frame variants, then adaptability is improved, but loss of substance and storage requirements worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidstorage requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

By designing a universal module carrier that can serve as the base for all sanitary element configurations, the inventory requirement shifts from storing many different complete frame structures to storing a single module carrier type plus interchangeable connection components. This dramatically reduces warehousing space and inventory complexity while maintaining the ability to provide any required configuration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The segmentation of the frame system into a universal module carrier and separate interchangeable components (head sections, foot sections, connections) allows inventory optimization. Instead of stocking complete assembled frames for every variant, only the modular components need to be stored, significantly reducing total inventory volume while preserving adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3715546B1Frame structure for a sanitary element
Publication Date: 2024.01.24 GROHE AG
  • EP3715546B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3715546B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

Frame construction (1) for a sanitary element (2), comprising at least a module support (3), at least one head section (4) and at least one foot section (5, 6), wherein the module support (3) has at least one first receptacle (7) for the repeatable detachable connection of the foot section (5, 6) to the module support (3) and at least one second receptacle (8) for the repeatable detachable connection of the head section (4) to the module support (3); wherein the head section (4) extends upwards from the module support (3) and the foot section (5, 6) extends downwards from the module support (3); wherein the module support (3) has at least one first connection (9) for connecting a sanitary element (2) to the frame construction (1).