Shower Tray Raised Edge and Gutters for Water Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Shower enclosures often allow water to seep outside, causing damage to the floor and adjacent walls, and existing solutions like applying gel or installing flexible tabs are costly and complex to implement.
Innovation Solution
A shower cubicle design featuring a peripheral rim along the outer faces of the walls and a network of gutters that collect and drain water towards the interior of the tray, eliminating the need for additional sealing materials or tabs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If gel or flexible tabs are applied to seal the interface between walls and tray, then waterproofing is improved, but manufacturing complexity and installation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is merged into the tray structure itself through the peripheral rim with integrated gutter, eliminating the need for separate gel application or flexible tab installation. The rim and gutter form a unified waterproofing system that is built-in during tray manufacturing, resolving the contradiction between reliable sealing and manufacturing simplicity.
2Reliability
If gel or flexible tabs are applied to seal the interface between walls and tray, then waterproofing is improved, but installation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The waterproofing structure (peripheral rim with gutter) is prepared in advance during tray manufacturing, so that during installation the tray arrives ready-to-use with built-in sealing capability. This preliminary integration of the sealing function into the tray structure eliminates time-consuming on-site application of gel or tabs, resolving the contradiction between reliable waterproofing and quick installation.
3Area of stationary object
If walls are placed close to adjacent wall to save space, then space utilization is improved, but water damage to adjacent wall increases
Solution Approach 1:
The peripheral rim with gutter acts as an intermediary barrier between the shower tray and the adjacent wall. It captures and redirects water away from the wall interface, creating a protective buffer zone. This allows walls to be placed closer together for space efficiency while the rim-gutter system prevents water from reaching and damaging the adjacent wall.
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
Prevents water from escaping the shower stall, minimizing wall humidification and simplifying the manufacturing and installation process by effectively directing water back into the tray.
Implementation Method 1
a peripheral rim 20...which is suitable for block the water seeping along the outer faces
Implementation Method 2
a network of gutters...which is able to collect this water and to drain it towards the inside of the tank
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The tub has a peripheral gutter (1) molded around the tub and located at a base of an elevated edge (2) that is molded around the tub. The edge blocks water coming all around a shower compartment and the peripheral gutter collects the water around the tub when a user takes a shower. Converging gutters (3) are perpendicular to the peripheral gutter. The gutters (3) block the water coming out from the compartment and act as drainage channels for draining the water, collected in the gutter (1), towards the interior of the tub. The gutters (3) are inclined towards the interior of a receiver.