Modular Shower Cubicle Joints for Water-Tight Lightweight Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Shower cubicles and pods face challenges due to their heavy and bulky nature, difficult assembly, non-water-tight joints, and short material lifespan, leading to mobility issues and frequent maintenance needs.
Innovation Solution
A modular shower cubicle system using polypropylene modules with a joint system featuring interengaging projection and recess sections, tension straps for stability, and a CNC manufacturing process to create strong, water-tight welds and beveled edges for safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If shower cubicles are constructed from heavy materials like concrete or glass fibre to ensure durability, then strength and stability are improved, but mobility and ease of installation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The shower cubicle is divided into multiple panels that can be assembled together. Each panel is lighter and easier to handle individually, yet when joined through the tongue and groove system with sealing, they form a structurally sound complete enclosure. This segmentation allows maintenance or replacement of individual panels without replacing the entire structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If shower cubicles require on-site construction to allow customization, then adaptability is improved, but assembly complexity and installation time deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The panels are pre-manufactured with integrated tongue and groove joining features and pre-applied sealing elements. This preliminary preparation of connection mechanisms eliminates the need for complex on-site assembly operations, reducing installation time and complexity while maintaining adaptability through modular configuration options.
3Reliability
If traditional sealing methods are used at joints to ensure water-tightness, then water-tightness is improved, but maintenance frequency deteriorates due to sealant degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The tongue and groove joint system incorporates self-sealing features where the geometric fit of the joining surfaces and integrated sealing elements automatically maintain water-tightness without requiring periodic intervention. The design self-maintains its sealing function throughout service life, eliminating the need for re-sealing operations.
4Ease of operation
If modular panels are used to reduce weight and improve mobility, then ease of installation is improved, but joint water-tightness and structural integrity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The joining system merges multiple functions into the tongue and groove interface: mechanical interlocking for structural strength, geometric fit for alignment, and integrated sealing elements for water-tightness. This combination achieves reliable waterproof joints while maintaining the mobility advantages of modular lightweight panels.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2~5
Figure 3a~3c
AI summary
The invention relates to a joint system for providing a joint between two sections of material. The joint system comprises a projection section (30) and a recess section (32) of respective sections of material to be joined. The projection and recess sections (30, 32) are adapted to interengage. The projection section (30) comprises at least two engagement portions (34, 36, 38, 40). Each engagement portion is either a male engagement portion (34, 38) or a female engagement portion (36, 40). The recess section (32) comprises at least two engagement portions adapted to engage the engagement portions of the projection section (30).