Shower Floor Drain Layout With Compact Odor Trap and Vortex Flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shower floor elements require a large space for the drain pot and odor trap, leading to inefficiencies in drainage and odor management.

Innovation Solution

A compact shower floor design where the drain line is arranged at a right or acute angle to the odor trap, with the odor trap merging into the drain line through a mouth that is larger than the drain line's diameter, allowing for efficient drainage and flow transformation into a vortex, and utilizing a rectangular drain pot with a central connection for improved mechanical stability and flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the drain line is arranged parallel to the flow direction of the odor trap, then the connection is simple, but the space required for the odor trap and drain line is large

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection complexityVSAvoidspace required
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dimensionality change by arranging the drain line at a right angle to the flow direction of the odor trap, transitioning from a parallel (1D) arrangement to a perpendicular (2D) arrangement. This spatial reconfiguration allows the odor trap to be positioned laterally adjacent to the drain line rather than in series, significantly reducing the longitudinal space required while maintaining simple connection geometry.

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

2Length of stationary object

If the odor trap is made compact with low height, then the overall structure is more compact, but drainage capacity may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheight of odor trapVSAvoiddrainage capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent compensates for reduced height in the odor trap by utilizing lateral width through the perpendicular drain line arrangement. The drain line extends horizontally adjacent to the compact odor trap, providing sufficient drainage cross-sectional area without increasing the vertical height, thus maintaining both compactness and drainage capacity.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the odor trap and drain line into a closely integrated assembly where the drain line is positioned immediately adjacent to the odor trap outlet. This merging allows the two components to work together efficiently in a compact configuration, with the drain line providing immediate drainage capacity without requiring additional vertical space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If the mouth of the odor trap is made larger than the drain line diameter, then flow transformation into vortex is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow rateVSAvoidmouth dimension precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent specifies that the mouth diameter should be 1.1 to 5 times the drain line diameter, providing a flexible parameter range rather than a fixed dimension. This parameter change approach allows manufacturers to select appropriate mouth sizes based on specific application requirements while maintaining the vortex flow effect, reducing the stringency of manufacturing precision requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 design achieves a compact structure with enhanced drainage efficiency, favorable flow rates, and reduced risk of mechanical disconnection, while allowing for factory pre-assembly and easy maintenance.

Implementation Method 1

a drain flow that rotates in the drain line with respect to a longitudinal axis of the drain line can be achieved. Favorable flow rates are also achieved, which can be attributed to this effect. In particular, a tangential inflow assigned to the upper diameter range is preferred. In particular, this makes it possible for the flow to transform into a vortex or rotor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVortex flow: Vortex Ring

Data Source

PatentEP2540202B1Shower floor element
Publication Date: 2018.09.26 PORESTA SYST
  • EP2540202B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2540202B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2540202B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The element (1) has a drain trap (5) arranged partially outside a discharge pot or a vertical projection of a drain channel and/or a support (4). The discharge pot is formed with large length than breadth, and the drain trap is formed by line sections (7, 8), which are inclined with respect to height and closed at the pot. The line sections have breadth, which exceeds the breadth of the pot. A discharge line provided at a connection to the drain trap and/or the line sections are arranged with extension direction in a right or acute angle to flow direction of the drain trap.