Shower Tray with Concealed Drainage and Horizontal Tile Surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shower trays have visible inclined surfaces and drainage openings, which detract from the aesthetic appeal and safety, particularly when made of high-quality materials like marble, and can pose slipping hazards and obstacles for mobility-impaired individuals.
Innovation Solution
A shower tray design featuring furring strips with a horizontal surface for tile placement, concealing the inclined surface and drainage opening, and using transverse bands with swivelling ends for secure tile attachment, allowing for easy removal and cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the inclined surface and drainage opening are made visible, then the drainage function is improved, but the aesthetic appearance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The inclined surface and drainage opening are extracted from the visible user support surface and relocated to the concealed base element. The floor tiles are installed on a horizontal surface that masks these drainage components, separating the aesthetic surface from the functional drainage structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The drainage function is moved to a lower dimension (the base element beneath the floor tiles) while the user support surface remains at the top horizontal plane. This vertical separation allows the drainage opening to function effectively while remaining hidden from view.
2Productivity
If the inclined surface is made visible, then the water evacuation function is improved, but the safety deteriorates due to slipping hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The inclined surface is extracted from the user support surface and relocated to the concealed base element. The floor tiles are installed on a horizontal surface that eliminates slipping hazards while the base element's inclined surface continues to evacuate water effectively to the drainage opening.
3Productivity
If the inclined surface is made visible, then the water evacuation function is improved, but the accessibility deteriorates for mobility-impaired individuals
Solution Approach 1:
The inclined surface is extracted from the user support surface and relocated to the concealed base element. This creates a flat, obstacle-free walking surface that is accessible to mobility-impaired individuals, while the base element's inclined surface continues to perform water evacuation functions.
4Shape
If floor tiles are arranged on the inclined surface, then the aesthetic continuity is improved, but the tile stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The inclined surface is extracted from the user support surface and relocated to the concealed base element. Floor tiles are installed on a horizontal base surface, providing a stable, flat installation plane that ensures tile stability while maintaining aesthetic continuity with the bathroom flooring.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a shower tray comprising a base element provided with a peripheral edge from where an inclined surface projects towards a drainage opening, and a surface for supporting the user formed by floor tiles, and strips which protrude from the inclined surface, wherein the upper faces of the strips form a horizontal base surface for the floor tiles, a groove is formed at least between two floor tiles for the evacuation of the water towards the inclined surface. The first ends of the floor tiles are secured on at least one transverse band or strip, and one swivelling end of the transverse band or strip includes a corner with a right-angled profile and adapted to slide on the longitudinal recess, when the floor tiles are withdrawn from their horizontal base surface.