Sanitary Mounting Frame With Integrated Electrical Box Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

The installation of shower toilets is complex and costly due to the need for specialized trades, such as plumbers and electricians, as bathrooms often lack necessary power connections, requiring a mounting frame that simplifies the integration of electrical and plumbing systems.

Innovation Solution

A mounting frame with a flush pipe receptacle, fastening means for wastewater pipes, and integrated electrical sockets, allowing non-electricians to connect sanitary items during installation and maintenance, featuring a pipe clamp and adjustable fastening structures for easy alignment and accessibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If electrical connections are installed separately by electricians and plumbing connections by plumbers, then reliable electrical and plumbing connections are achieved, but installation complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting frame combines electrical socket and plumbing connection elements into a single integrated structure. The electrical box is mounted on the mounting frame alongside the flush pipe receptacle and fastening means, allowing all connections (electrical and plumbing) to be made through one unified installation process rather than requiring separate tradespeople to work independently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting frame serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support for the sanitary article, accommodates electrical connections via the electrical box, receives plumbing connections through the flush pipe receptacle, and secures wastewater pipes via fastening means. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate electrical and plumbing installation steps.

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

2Reliability

If multiple specialists are involved in installation, then proper installation of electrical and plumbing systems is ensured, but installation time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation qualityVSAvoidinstallation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting frame is segmented into distinct functional modules (electrical box, flush pipe receptacle, fastening means) that are pre-assembled together. This modular segmentation allows a single installer to work with one integrated unit rather than coordinating multiple specialists, while each module maintains its specialized function for reliable installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If electrical sockets are integrated into the mounting frame, then installation is simplified and costs are reduced, but the mounting frame structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation easeVSAvoidmounting frame structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical box, flush pipe receptacle, and fastening means are pre-assembled into the mounting frame structure before installation. This preliminary integration means that during actual installation, the entire assembly is installed as one unit, simplifying the installation process despite the more complex internal structure. The complexity is resolved in the manufacturing phase rather than during installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3733986B1Assembly frame for a sanitary article with electrical box
Publication Date: 2024.03.20 GEBERIT INT AG
  • EP3733986B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3733986B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3733986B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Mounting frame (1) for a sanitary article, in particular a toilet or shower toilet, comprising: - a flush pipe receptacle for receiving a flush pipe (6) for supplying flushing water to the sanitary article; - a fastening means (3) for receiving and fastening a wastewater pipe (5) for draining wastewater from the sanitary article to the mounting frame (1); and - at least a first and a second fastening device (15; 16) for fastening the sanitary article to the mounting frame (1); wherein the flush pipe receptacle, the fastening means (3) and the first and second fastening devices (15; 16) define a space (10), wherein an electrical box (4) for supplying power to the sanitary article is arranged in the space (10).