Multifunctional sink
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multifunctional sinks face issues with accessories remaining within reach, disrupting aesthetics and hygiene due to wetness and potential flooding, which compromises the cleanliness of the workspace.
Innovation Solution
A multifunctional sink design featuring an upper surface, rim, main chamber, and integrated vertical chamber with a drain opening, allowing for vertical storage and drip-drying of accessories, with an additional drain to prevent water accumulation and enhance ergonomics and hygiene.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If accessories are stored within reach in the sink workspace, then ease of operation is improved, but hygiene and aesthetics deteriorate due to wetness and potential flooding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a vertical chamber extending downward from the sink workspace, creating a new vertical dimension for accessory storage. This allows accessories to be stored in a suspended or recessed position within the vertical chamber, maintaining accessibility while removing them from the horizontal workspace surface where water accumulates. The vertical orientation enables gravity-assisted drainage and prevents water pooling around stored items.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the accessory storage function from the main horizontal workspace and places it into a separate vertical chamber. This separation isolates accessories from the harmful wet environment of the main sink area, while the vertical chamber's drainage system actively removes water away from stored items, solving the hygiene and aesthetics problems.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a vertical chamber is added for accessory storage, then hygiene and aesthetics are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the vertical chamber with the existing sink structure, integrating it into the overall sink design rather than adding it as a separate component. The chamber is formed as part of the sink's monolithic structure or seamlessly integrated assembly, sharing walls and drainage systems with the main sink basin, thereby reducing overall complexity despite the added functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The vertical chamber serves multiple functions: it stores accessories, provides additional drainage capacity, and acts as a structural element of the sink. This multi-functionality justifies the added structural elements by consolidating several needs into a single integrated feature, effectively managing the complexity-benefit trade-off.
3Productivity
If accessories are stored vertically in the vertical chamber, then drying efficiency is improved, but storage space for other items is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating specific zones within the vertical chamber optimized for different needs. The upper portions with better air circulation and exposure to moving air streams are ideal for drying accessories, while lower or shaded zones can store items that don't require drying. This spatial differentiation of qualities within the chamber maximizes both drying efficiency and storage versatility.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design facilitates efficient drying of accessories, reduces water overflow, maintains cleanliness, and improves the overall aesthetics and functionality of the sink space.
Implementation Method 1
vertical drip-drying of wet kitchen accessories after use... The additional drain allows water to be discharged from the bottom of the chamber
Implementation Method 2
the additional drain is a channel connecting the vertical chamber to the main chamber. The connecting channel can be an opening or a hollow section made between the two chambers, enabling water to flow out of the vertical chamber into the main chamber
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A multifunctional sink comprising: an upper surface (1), a rim (2) surrounding the upper surface (1), at least one main chamber (3), and at least one drain opening (41), where the main chamber (3) extends to a depth from the upper surface (1) perpendicularly downward and in the opposite direction, and contains a drain opening (41) at its bottom part, characterized in that the sink comprises at least one integrated vertical chamber (5), where the depth dimension (6) is greater than the width dimension (7), and where the vertical chamber (5) extends to a depth from the upper surface (1) perpendicularly downward and in the opposite direction.