Profile system for a sanitary installation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing profile systems for sanitary facilities, such as shower systems, are cumbersome and inflexible due to the need for multiple application steps and complex constructions, and they often fail to adapt to surrounding wall and floor coverings effectively.

Innovation Solution

A profile system comprising a prefabricated profile element made of lightweight, easily formable materials like aluminum, combined with a flexible sealing element that is pre-attached for easy installation, allowing for adjustable length and secure sealing without additional fastening devices, and enabling variable adjustment and sealing of profile elements to walls and floors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If profile systems are sealed by attaching sealing strips or materials at the installation site, then sealing effect is achieved, but the installation process becomes cumbersome and requires multiple steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing effectVSAvoidinstallation process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing element is pre-attached to the profile element at the factory before delivery to the installation site. This preliminary action eliminates the need for separate sealing steps during installation, making the process simpler while maintaining reliable sealing between the profile and wall/floor coverings

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If complex constructions are used to reliably fasten the profile, then fastening reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefastening reliabilityVSAvoidconstruction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing element is integrated with the profile element through pre-attachment, merging two previously separate components (profile and sealing strip) into a single unified assembly. This reduces device complexity while maintaining fastening and sealing reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If traditional profile systems are used, then basic sealing function is provided, but adaptation to surrounding wall and floor coverings is difficult or not possible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing functionVSAvoidadaptation to coverings
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing element is designed with flexible properties that allow it to adapt dynamically to different wall and floor covering surfaces. This flexibility enables the sealing element to conform to various structural conditions and covering types while maintaining reliable sealing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3690157A1Profile system for a sanitary installation
Publication Date: 2020.08.05 COMBIA
  • EP3690157A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3690157A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3690157A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a profile system for a sanitary installation, such as a walk-in shower, comprising at least one profile element 55 and at least one flat and flexible sealing element 53. The sealing element has a fastening area 65 which, in an uninstalled state, is attached to the profile element by a fastening means. Furthermore, the sealing element has at least one area overlapping the profile element, wherein the overlap area 63 is designed to fix the profile element in its installed position.