Off-Center Drain Outlet in Shower Base for Remodeling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
During bathroom remodeling, existing shower bases often require moving waste outlet plumbing to align with the new drain outlet, which is inconvenient and inefficient, especially when the new shower base is larger or smaller than the original.
Innovation Solution
A shower base assembly with an off-center drain outlet, allowing for easier installation without needing to move the waste outlet plumbing, featuring a drainage channel with a drain outlet positioned off-center along its length, enabling the use of a wider or narrower shower base without relocating plumbing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the drain outlet is positioned at the center of the shower base, then the shower base has a symmetrical and aesthetically pleasing appearance, but the waste outlet plumbing must be moved when installing shower bases of varying sizes during remodeling
Solution Approach 1:
The drain outlet is positioned off-center within the drainage channel, creating an asymmetric configuration that allows the shower base to be installed in various positions relative to the fixed waste outlet plumbing. This asymmetric placement enables remodeling with different shower base sizes without requiring plumbing relocation, as the drain outlet can align with the waste outlet at different positions along the drainage channel length.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the shower base size is changed during remodeling, then the shower area can be optimized, but the waste outlet plumbing needs to be relocated to align with the new drain outlet
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage function is segmented into a linear drainage channel with the drain outlet positioned at an offset location along its length. This segmentation allows the shower base to be positioned at various distances from the waste outlet while maintaining proper drainage alignment, enabling size changes without plumbing relocation.
3Ease of manufacture
If the drain outlet is positioned off-center in the drainage channel, then shower bases of varying sizes can be installed without moving plumbing, but the drainage channel design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage channel acts as an intermediary element between the shower base and the waste outlet plumbing. By positioning the drain outlet off-center within this intermediate channel, the system accommodates varying shower base sizes and positions while maintaining a straightforward connection to the fixed waste outlet, simplifying installation despite the asymmetric configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
A shower base assembly, comprising a shower base having a length and a width; a drainage channel disposed in the shower base; a drain outlet disposed in the drainage channel; and a drain cover configured to cover the drainage channel, wherein the drainage channel comprises a first edge and a second edge defining a drainage channel length, the drainage channel comprises a third edge and a fourth edge defining a drainage channel width, and the drain outlet is disposed in the drainage channel off-center along the drainage channel length.