Shower Channel Installation Kit with Sound-Decoupled Substructure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shower channel installation kits face challenges in achieving structural stability, tightness, and sound reduction while maintaining simplicity in installation, as they often result in cavities, water penetration, and sound bridges due to the direct contact of height-adjustable feet with the relining material.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves a shower channel installation kit with height-adjustable feet attached to a substructure rather than the channel itself, using internally threaded sleeves for deeper attachment points and sound-insulating materials, along with a sealing and crack-bridging fleece to ensure stability and sound decoupling, and a profile rail for improved fit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If height-adjustable feet are attached directly to the shower channel, then the installation height can be adjusted, but sound bridges are created between the metallic components and the relining material

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation height adjustmentVSAvoidsound transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A plastic substructure is introduced as an intermediary component between the metallic shower channel and the relining material. This substructure serves as a sound-insulating barrier that prevents direct contact between metal components and the relining material, thereby eliminating sound bridges while still allowing height adjustment functionality through integrated feet.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The solution employs composite construction by combining metallic shower channel components with a plastic substructure. The plastic material provides sound insulation properties while the metallic components maintain structural integrity and drainage functionality, creating a multi-material assembly that addresses both structural and acoustic requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If threaded rods are attached higher on the shower channel, then installation is simpler, but the attachment stability and alignment during installation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidalignment stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment points for height adjustment are relocated from the vertical dimension (attached to the channel body) to the horizontal dimension (integrated into the substructure base). This dimensional shift allows threaded rods to engage with the substructure at optimal locations that provide both stability and alignment control during installation.

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

3Device complexity

If the shower channel is directly lined with cement or relining material, then the installation process is simpler, but cavities form between the channel and the relining material compromising structural stability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation process complexityVSAvoidstructural stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The plastic substructure acts as an intermediary layer between the shower channel and the relining material, providing a continuous bonding surface that prevents cavity formation. This substructure ensures complete filling of the space between the channel and relining material with padding, achieving full structural stability without complicating the installation process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Manufacturing precision

If height-adjustable feet are used for alignment, then the shower channel can be leveled properly, but sound bridges are created through the threaded rods contacting the relining material

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveleveling precisionVSAvoidsound transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The plastic substructure serves as a sound-insulating intermediary that intercepts the sound transmission path from the metallic shower channel to the relining material. The height-adjustable feet are integrated into this substructure, allowing precise leveling while the plastic material blocks sound transmission through the threaded rods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This configuration enhances stability and tightness, minimizes sound transmission, and prevents water penetration, while maintaining a simple installation process by using internally threaded sleeves and sound-insulating materials, ensuring a stable and watertight shower channel arrangement.

Implementation Method 1

The height-adjustable threaded feet comprise on the underside of the threaded rod preferably rotatably arranged foot sockets with sound-insulating material inserts arranged on the underside. This sound decoupling mat is placed on the screed or raw concrete of the wet room.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSound insulation: Acoustic Absorption

Data Source

PatentEP3339522B1Shower channel installation kit or assembly
Publication Date: 2023.01.25 SANIPAT GMBH
  • EP3339522B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3339522B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3339522B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a shower channel installation kit (100e), at least one shower channel (1c) with a shower channel flange (2c), with a shower channel body (3c) and with at least one drain connector (4b), and at least two height-adjustable feet (200c, 200d) comprising, wherein the shower channel (1c) is fitted in a form-fitting manner in a shower channel base body (5d) and the height-adjustable feet (200c, 200d) on the shower channel base body (5d) at an upper attachment point (BP2, BP3) are arranged.