Shower Drainage Channel With Undercut Heat Exchanger

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional drainage channels for shower facilities compromise aesthetics due to the need for heat recovery systems, which often result in a clumsy appearance due to the large width required for heat exchangers.

Innovation Solution

A drainage channel design featuring a channel body with two sections of different widths, where the upper section is narrower and offset within the side walls of the lower section, allowing for a heat exchanger unit in the lower section while maintaining a visually appealing appearance by keeping the heat recovery components hidden.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If a heat exchanger unit is included in the drainage channel for heat recovery, then heat recovery functionality is improved, but the width of the channel body increases resulting in a clumsy appearance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat lossVSAvoidaesthetic appearance

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The invention relocates the heat exchanger unit from the horizontal width dimension to the vertical depth dimension by creating an undercut in the channel body. This allows the heat exchanger to be positioned below the bottom surface level, enabling heat recovery functionality while maintaining a slim profile at the visible surface level where the cover element is installed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Loss of energy

If the channel body is widened to accommodate the heat exchanger unit, then heat recovery capability is improved, but the receiving area for the channel cover element becomes wider compromising visual appeal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat lossVSAvoidwidth of receiving area

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The channel body is segmented into an upper portion and a lower portion through the undercut. The upper portion maintains a narrow width suitable for the cover element, while the lower portion extends wider to accommodate the heat exchanger unit. This segmentation allows each section to have different width requirements optimized for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The heat exchanger unit is nested within the undercut region of the channel body, positioned below the bottom surface level. This nesting arrangement allows the heat exchanger to be contained within the vertical space created by the undercut without increasing the horizontal width of the channel at the surface level.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Ease of manufacture

If the channel body has a uniform width, then manufacturing is simplified, but it cannot accommodate both heat recovery components and maintain aesthetic appearance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidfunctional integration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The channel body exhibits local quality variation through the undercut feature. The upper portion has one width optimized for aesthetic appearance and cover element installation, while the lower portion has a different width optimized for housing the heat exchanger unit. This local differentiation allows the single component to fulfill multiple conflicting requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 design allows for efficient heat recovery while maintaining a slim, aesthetically pleasing profile, as the narrower upper section can accommodate a channel cover element flush with the surface, and the wider lower section houses the heat exchanger unit, enhancing both functionality and appearance.

Implementation Method 1

at least one heat exchanger unit (100) for heat recovery is arranged in the channel body (11)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentUS20240295104A1Drainage channel and use of a drainage channel in a sanitary facility, in particular a shower facility

Publication Date: 2024.09.05 ACO AHLMANN SE & CO KG

AI summary

The invention relates to a drainage channel for sanitary facilities, in particular shower facilities, with a channel body extending in a longitudinal direction, comprising:at least one first channel section having a bottom and at least two side walls arranged opposite one another at the bottom, wherein the first channel section is adapted to accommodate at least one heat exchanger unit for heat recovery; andat least one second channel section with a receiving area for receiving a channel cover element, which adjoins the first channel section above, whereinthe channel body has at least one undercut through which the receiving area of the second channel section is arranged transversely to the longitudinal direction within at least one of the side walls, in particular both side walls, of the first channel section.