Adapter for an accessory of a sanitary basin, sanitary part and system

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sanitary basin accessories require multiple steps and complex manufacturing processes, occupying excessive space and compromising stability, especially when stacked or arranged side by side.

Innovation Solution

An adapter with a receiving device and support elements that allow accessories to be securely positioned on sanitary basins with minimal space usage, featuring projections and extensions that align with basin edges for stable attachment and versatile arrangement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If accessories are arranged on multiple edges at different heights, then multiple accessories can be mounted, but the space required increases and manufacturing becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of accessories mountedVSAvoidspace required
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple support functions are merged into a single circumferential edge structure. The adapter combines multiple support elements with different projection lengths into one integrated component that attaches to a single edge, allowing multiple accessories to be mounted at different heights without requiring multiple separate edges or complex multi-level structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The circumferential edge is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously - it provides support for multiple accessories at different heights, structural attachment to the basin, and positioning reference. The adapter makes this single edge universal for mounting various accessory types (drain, strainer, soap dispenser) without requiring separate mounting structures for each.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If accessories are arranged side by side on the circumferential edge, then multiple accessories can be mounted, but more space is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of accessories mountedVSAvoidspace required
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of arranging accessories horizontally side by side along the circumferential edge, the adapter enables vertical arrangement by utilizing the projection length dimension. Support elements with different projection lengths create height differences, allowing accessories to be stacked vertically or at different elevations, thereby reducing the horizontal footprint on the basin surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Area of stationary object

If accessories are stacked vertically, then space is saved, but only the bottommost accessory has secure hold and others may slide

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace requiredVSAvoidsecure hold
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Each support element is given different local properties through varying projection lengths. This creates distinct attachment zones at different heights along the circumferential edge, where each zone provides secure hold for its corresponding accessory. The localized variation in support element geometry ensures that each accessory, regardless of position in the stack, has its own dedicated secure mounting point.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Area of stationary object

If lower accessories are made thin to fit in vertical stack, then space is saved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace requiredVSAvoidmanufacturing process
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter introduces adjustability and flexibility to the mounting system. Accessories can be dynamically positioned at different heights by selecting appropriate support elements, rather than being fixed in a rigid vertical stack. This dynamic arrangement allows standard-thickness accessories to be mounted without requiring thinned versions, simplifying manufacturing while still achieving space-efficient utilization of the basin edge.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4667669A1Adapter for an accessory of a sanitary basin, sanitary part and system
Publication Date: 2025.12.24 BLANCO GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4667669A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4667669A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4667669A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an adapter for an accessory of a sanitary basin, in particular for an accessory of a sink, comprising a receiving device for receiving the accessory and at least two support elements, each with a projection for resting on and/or resting against at least one, in particular inclined, edge of the sanitary basin, wherein a maximum extension of at least one of the projections defines a direction along which the extension of the at least one projection is smaller than the extension of the adapter in the same direction.