Shower Toilet Hinge Axis Relocation for Control Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional shower toilets often have a design that obstructs access to flushing controls due to the open toilet lid protruding into the area of control buttons, requiring users to close or tilt the lid to operate the flushing function, which is inconvenient and hinders the use of a toilet brush for cleaning.

Innovation Solution

A shower toilet design with a technical housing that protrudes upwards beyond the upper edge of the toilet bowl body, featuring a low hinge axis for the toilet lid and seat, allowing them to pivot independently without obstructing the flushing controls, and a sloping front side that facilitates easy access and cleaning, with the toilet seat and lid positioned to cover the technical housing when open, ensuring unobstructed operation and maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the toilet lid is designed to pivot on a conventional hinge axis, then the lid can be opened for cleaning and access, but the open lid protrudes into the area of control buttons and obstructs access to flushing controls

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAccess to flushing controlsVSAvoidVertical height of open lid
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent relocates the hinge axis from a conventional position to a lower position within the technical housing, changing the spatial dimension of rotation. This dimensional shift allows the lid to pivot in a trajectory that clears the control button area, resolving the conflict between lid mobility and control accessibility.

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

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of positioning the hinge axis at the conventional upper location, the patent inverts the approach by placing it at the lower region of the technical housing. This inversion of the hinge position fundamentally changes the lid's arc of motion, preventing obstruction of controls while maintaining opening functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of repair

If the toilet seat is designed to pivot on a conventional hinge axis, then the seat can be folded up for cleaning, but it obstructs the area needed for flushing operation and toilet brush use

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAccess for cleaningVSAvoidAccess for toilet brush and flushing
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The seat hinge axis is positioned at a lower location within the technical housing, changing the rotational dimension. This allows the seat to fold upward along a path that does not interfere with the control button area or toilet brush access, simultaneously achieving cleaning accessibility and operational clearance.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent inverts the conventional seat hinge positioning by placing it in the lower region of the technical housing rather than at the conventional upper position. This inversion enables the seat to pivot in a manner that clears the operational area, allowing both cleaning access and unobstructed toilet brush usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the technical housing is made tall to accommodate shower equipment, then all shower functions can be integrated, but the overall height and depth of the toilet increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveIntegration of shower functionsVSAvoidHeight and depth of toilet
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent redistributes the technical housing volume by extending it horizontally along the wall rather than vertically upward. This dimensional redistribution allows sufficient space for shower equipment while maintaining a compact overall height, suitable for smaller spaces.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the spatial distribution parameters of the technical housing, transitioning from a vertically-dominated configuration to a horizontally-extended layout along the wall. This parameter change accommodates shower equipment volume requirements while controlling the overall height and depth dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2447426B1Shower WC
Publication Date: 2013.03.06 GEBERIT INT AG
  • EP2447426B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2447426B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2447426B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The shower toilet comprises a toilet bowl body (1) which is designed for an assembly with rear side wall contact, and a technical housing which technically facilities for a lower body shower of the shower toilet. The technical housing is surrounded over the upper edge of the toilet bowl body having a bowl opening. A toilet lid (2) is connected at two opposite sides of the technical housing by hinge fastenings.