Removable Sealing Flange for Wet Space Drain Installation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current drains cannot be fitted both adjacent to and at a distance from walls in a wet space without compromising sealing properties.

Innovation Solution

A drain design featuring a removable sealing flange that runs vertically from the horizontal fitting flange, allowing for adjustment between wall-adjacent and wall-distance configurations, maintaining optimal sealing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the drain is configured with a fixed sealing flange for wall-adjacent fitting, then sealing performance against the wall is improved, but the drain cannot be fitted at a distance from walls

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing performanceVSAvoidfitting position flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing flange is designed to be removable rather than fixed, allowing it to be present when wall sealing is needed and removed when the drain is to be installed at a distance from walls. This dynamic configuration enables the drain to adapt to different installation scenarios while maintaining optimal sealing performance in each case.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing flange is provided with cutting indications that allow it to be divided into segments or completely removed. This segmentation capability enables flexible adaptation: the flange can be kept intact for wall-adjacent installations requiring sealing, or removed entirely for installations at a distance from walls, thus resolving the contradiction between sealing performance and fitting position flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the sealing flange is removed to allow fitting at a distance from walls, then fitting flexibility is improved, but sealing performance against walls is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefitting position flexibilityVSAvoidsealing performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing flange's presence or absence can be dynamically adjusted based on installation requirements. When fitting at a distance from walls is desired, the flange is removed; when wall sealing is required, the flange remains in place. This dynamic approach allows the system to maintain optimal sealing performance for each specific installation scenario.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The drain design with an optional sealing flange achieves multi-functionality: it can be configured for both wall-adjacent installations (with flange for sealing) and distance-from-wall installations (without flange). This universal design resolves the contradiction by enabling the same drain unit to serve multiple fitting positions and sealing requirements.

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

3Adaptability or versatility

If a removable sealing flange is added to the drain, then fitting versatility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefitting position flexibilityVSAvoiddrain structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing flange is designed as a separate, removable component with cutting indications, allowing it to be added as a discrete element rather than integrating complexity into the main drain body. This segmentation approach minimizes overall device complexity while providing the necessary versatility for different fitting positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The removable sealing flange serves multiple functions: it provides sealing against walls when needed, can be removed for distance-from-wall installations, and includes cutting indications for customization. This multi-functional component achieves high fitting versatility without proportionally increasing device complexity, as it is a relatively simple additive element.

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

Data Source

PatentEP2183441B1drain
Publication Date: 2016.07.27 BLS INDUSTIES AB
  • EP2183441B1 patent drawingFigure 1~6
  • EP2183441B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2183441B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a drain for fitting in the floor of a wet space or the like. The drain comprises a drain element (1) with an outlet (2) for leading liquid from the floor of the wet space to a drain system, and a fitting flange (3) disposed round, and running substantially horizontally from, the drain element. With the object of providing a drain which can be fitted both adjacent to one or more walls and at a distance from the walls of a wet space while maintaining optimum sealing properties relative to the wall or walls, where so required, and, of course, relative to the floor, the drain comprises in addition a sealing flange (7) so disposed that it runs substantially vertically from the horizontal fitting flange (3) along at least part of the periphery of the drain element (1) and at a distance from the drain element, to allow the drain to be fitted in the floor adjacent to one or more of the walls of the wet space, with the sealing flange against said wall or walls, and the sealing flange is so disposed as to be removable with the help of a cutting indication, to allow the drain to be fitted in the floor at a distance from the walls of the wet space.