Retrofit Shower Corner Shelf Assembly for Fast, Leak-Resistant Installation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shower corner shelves are complex and time-consuming to install, prone to water damage due to poor grouting, and heavy, leading to structural fatigue and leaks.
Innovation Solution
A retrofit shower corner shelf assembly kit with a lightweight, multi-layered design featuring flat edges for secure adhesion, an adhesive composition, and optional decorative grout, along with a mounting bracket assembly that directs water away from the edges, ensuring quick installation and minimizing water ingress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional pre-formed corner shelves are installed using tile saw cutting and adhesive application, then the shelf can be installed in existing shower corners, but the installation process is very time consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The shelf is divided into multiple sections with pre-formed grooves and channels that segment the installation process. The grooves are pre-cut to receive protruding features, eliminating the need for on-site tile saw cutting and simplifying the installation to merely applying adhesive and pressing the shelf into place.
Solution Approach 2:
The protruding features and grooves are pre-formed during manufacturing, performing the complex cutting and fitting actions beforehand. This preliminary action transfers the complexity from the installation phase to the manufacturing phase, making installation straightforward and quick.
2Reliability
If conventional corner shelves are installed with grout application, then water leakage can be prevented, but the grouting requires constant maintenance and is prone to deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The grout application step is extracted and eliminated from the installation process. The design uses protruding features that fit into grooves to create water-tight seals without requiring grout, thereby removing the maintenance burden associated with grout deterioration while maintaining water leakage prevention.
3Strength
If heavy conventional corner shelves are used, then structural strength is provided, but structural fatigue leads to cracks and gaps forming between the shelf and shower wall over time
Solution Approach 1:
The design counteracts the weight issue by using a lightweight shelf material that does not create excessive load on the shower wall. This prevents structural fatigue and cracking over time, while the strength requirements are met through optimized material selection and structural design rather than simply increasing weight.
4Shape
If custom tile and sheet rock framing is used to create corner shelves, then aesthetically pleasing custom showers are achieved, but the process is complex and time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The shelf design copies the aesthetic appearance of custom tile work through its grooved pattern and material selection, achieving the desired visual effect without requiring complex framing and tiling. The grooves are pre-formed to create decorative patterns that mimic custom tile installations while simplifying the construction process.
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 solution allows for efficient, low-maintenance installation of shower corner shelves that prevent water damage and structural issues, maintaining aesthetic appeal while reducing installation time and material costs.
Implementation Method 1
an adhesive composition for securing the shelf into the existing shower corner
Implementation Method 2
a mounting bracket assembly that directs water away from the edges, ensuring quick installation and minimizing water ingress
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a retrofit shower corner shelf assembly kit including a shelf adapted for retrofitting into an existing shower corner; an adhesive composition for securing the shelf into the existing shower corner; and optionally a decorative composition for concealing edges of the shelf directly adjacent to the existing shower corner. Disclosed is a shelf adapted for retrofitting into an existing shower corner, the shelf includes two flat edges configured for securing the shelf directly on top of a surface and a third flat, free edge, wherein the shelf includes an upper layer, a middle layer attached to the upper layer, a lower layer attached to the middle layer, and the third flat, free edges conceals middle and lower layers of the shelf.