Sanitary tray installation and installation device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sanitary tub installations with heat exchangers suffer from reduced efficiency due to heat loss at the edges and complex assembly processes, including welding and additional components that increase production difficulties and corrosion risks.
Innovation Solution
A sanitary tub installation with a cold water guide element integrated under the floor, forming a heat exchanger, where warm shower water heats cold water flowing through the guide element, which is glued to the floor using a synthetic resin and metal powder adhesive, reducing components and assembly complexity while enhancing thermal conductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cover plate is arranged above the heat exchanger to form the shower surface, then the shower tray structure is complete and functional, but the heat exchanger efficiency is reduced due to heat loss at edges and before water reaches the heat exchanger
Solution Approach 1:
The floor of the shower tray is merged with the heat exchanger by directly bonding the guide element to the underside of the floor, eliminating the need for a separate cover plate. This integration ensures that all water flowing across the floor contacts the heat exchanger, eliminating edge heat loss and pre-heating losses while reducing the total number of components.
2Ease of manufacture
If multiple pipes are welded to the shower tray to form the heat exchanger, then the heat exchanger can be constructed, but the production process becomes complex and corrosion risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is segmented into a single integrated guide element with internal channels formed as one piece, rather than assembling multiple separate pipes. This monolithic structure eliminates welding joints and multiple connection points, simplifying production and eliminating corrosion risks at joint locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide element is made from corrosion-resistant materials such as stainless steel or plastic, providing both the structural integrity needed for the heat exchanger function and inherent corrosion resistance without requiring protective coatings or complex assembly procedures.
3Ease of operation
If welding is used to connect the guide element to the floor, then a strong mechanical connection is achieved, but the installation process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical welding connection is replaced with a chemical bonding system using adhesive. The adhesive is applied to the bonding surface, and the guide element is pressed into place, allowing simple installation without specialized welding equipment or procedures while achieving sufficient connection strength for the application.
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 increases heat transfer efficiency, simplifies assembly, and reduces corrosion by direct contact between the floor and guide element, achieving at least 20% efficiency improvement and a durable, cost-effective design.
Implementation Method 1
the floor and the guide element form a heat exchanger. Warm shower water, which can be guided along the floor to the drain, can heat cold water flowing from the inlet to the outlet through the guide element
Implementation Method 2
increased the efficiency of the shower tub, as the warm shower water can be guided directly over the heat exchanger during showering, and can thereby heat the cold water due to an improved contact area between the floor and the guide element with increased heat transfer
Implementation Method 3
the guide element is glued to an underside of the floor. This increases the efficiency of the shower tub... the adhesive bond increases the protection of the plumbing fixture against corrosion
Implementation Method 4
the guide element is bonded to the base with an adhesive containing synthetic resin and metal powder. This mixture increases the thermal conductivity of the adhesive and thus of the heat exchanger
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
A sanitary tub installation comprises a sanitary tub (2) and a cold water guide element (5, 15), wherein the sanitary tub (2) has a base (4) as a shower surface and a drain (3), and wherein the guide element (5, 15) comprises an inlet and an outlet, wherein the guide element (5, 15) is arranged under the base (4) of the sanitary tub (2) such that the base (4) and the guide element (5, 15) form a heat exchanger and can heat warm shower water, which can be directed on the base to the drain, and cold water, which can flow from the inlet to the outlet through the guide element, wherein the guide element (5, 15) is bonded to an underside of the base (4).