Modular Shower Drainage Channel With Rod Grate for High Flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional floor-level shower drainage channels are costly to produce and maintain due to the need for multiple lengths and a visible plate-shaped grating, which limits their adaptability and aesthetic appeal while compromising drainage capacity.

Innovation Solution

A drainage channel design featuring a rod-like body as the grate, with channel end pieces that include a seal and recess for supporting the rod-like body, allowing for customizable length adjustment and reduced visible surface area, using fewer materials and enabling high drainage capacity with a minimalist design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple channel body lengths are produced to meet different space conditions, then adaptability to various shower sizes is improved, but production costs and stock complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to shower sizeVSAvoidnumber of channel variants
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The channel body is designed as a modular system with standardized segments that can be combined in different configurations. The channel consists of identical basic units with standardized connection interfaces, allowing any required length to be achieved by assembling the appropriate number of segments rather than producing multiple complete channel variants.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A single universal channel body design with adjustable parameters serves multiple functions and applications. The standardized connection system and adjustable grid positioning enable the same channel body to adapt to different shower sizes and configurations, eliminating the need for multiple specialized channel types.

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

2Productivity

If a plate-shaped grating is used to cover the channel, then drainage function is provided, but visible surface area increases reducing aesthetic appeal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrainage capacityVSAvoidvisible surface area
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The grating function is extracted from a traditional plate-shaped cover and implemented through rod-like elements that extend only partially over the channel. This allows water drainage to occur through and around the rods while minimizing the visible surface area, as the rods occupy minimal space compared to a solid plate grating.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of a solid plate grating, the channel uses a porous arrangement of rod-like elements with gaps between them. This porous structure provides adequate drainage capacity while maintaining a minimalist aesthetic with reduced visible surface area, allowing water to pass through the openings between rods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

3Area of stationary object

If the channel body width is reduced to minimize visible area, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but drainage capacity may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisible surface areaVSAvoiddrainage capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The drainage capacity is enhanced by utilizing the vertical dimension through adjustable grid positioning at different heights. By adjusting the grid position vertically within the channel, the system optimizes water capture efficiency without requiring an increased channel width, thus maintaining a narrow, aesthetically pleasing profile while preserving drainage performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP2423394B1Drainage channel for showers flush with the floor
Publication Date: 2013.05.29 VIEGA GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2423394B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2423394B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2423394B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a drainage channel (1) for a floor-level shower, with a channel body (2) and at least one channel end piece (3). The invention is based on the object of creating a drainage channel for floor-level showers that can be produced more cost-effectively than conventional shower channels and, when fully installed, has a relatively small visible surface with a high drainage capacity. This object is achieved in that the at least one channel end piece (3) can be detachably connected to the channel body (2) and is provided with a seal (7) assigned to the channel body (2), the at least one channel end piece (3) having at least one recess or Has a holder for supporting one end of a rod-like body (5) which, in the assembled state, extends along and inside the inlet opening (2.2) of the channel body (2).