Shower Tray Pre-Assembled Mounting Frame for Edge Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shower tray installation methods face issues with instability, particularly in the edge area, leading to deformations and potential tears, especially when using thin plastic materials, and require time-consuming precise installation with massive substructures or complex assembly frames.

Innovation Solution

A shower tray unit with a tub body and mounting frame, where the tub body and mounting frame are pre-assembled using a permanently elastic adhesive to a marginal reinforcement of synthetic resin, providing edge reinforcement and connecting the assembly frame, which is made of metal profiles with adjustable feet, ensuring stability and secure installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If a shower tray is made from thin plastic material, then the installation height is reduced and material usage is minimized, but the edge area becomes unstable and prone to deformations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial usageVSAvoidedge area stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines thin plastic material with a mounting frame structure to create a composite system. The plastic tray body maintains low weight and installation height, while the separate mounting frame provides the necessary structural support and stability at the edges, resolving the contradiction between material minimization and edge stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If a massive substructure is used to prevent deformations, then edge area stability is improved, but installation time increases and precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveedge area stabilityVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the shower tray system into separate functional components: a thin plastic tray body for water containment and a separate mounting frame for structural support. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the tray remains thin for quick installation while the frame provides stability, avoiding the need for a single massive substructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Stability of the object's composition

If the tub body material thickness is increased to avoid deformations, then edge area stability is improved, but installation height increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveedge area stabilityVSAvoidinstallation height
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite construction where the plastic tub body remains thin to maintain low installation height, while a separate mounting frame made of more rigid material provides the necessary structural support at the edges. This composite approach allows each material to be used at optimal thickness without compromising overall stability or height requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Productivity

If a mounting frame is used to enable quick installation, then installation time is reduced, but the tub body may deform or tear at contact areas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation speedVSAvoidtub body integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local reinforcement through the mounting frame that specifically targets the edge areas of the tub body where deformations are most likely to occur. The frame provides localized support at critical contact points without requiring reinforcement of the entire tub body, thus maintaining installation speed while preventing localized deformations and tears.

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 solution stabilizes the edge area, prevents deformations, and allows for quick, precise installation without the need for additional wall support, saving time and ensuring a secure connection, while maintaining adjustability for uneven surfaces.

Implementation Method 1

a unit is already made from the tub body and mounting frame by the assembly line by means of a permanently elastic adhesive to glue to an margin reinforcement of the bath body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive bonding: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP2929818B1Shower tray unit
Publication Date: 2022.09.28 MAUERSBERGER FALKO
  • EP2929818B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2929818B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a shower tray unit (1). In order to enable quick and safe installation of a shower tray, the invention provides that the shower tray unit (1) comprises the following: - a tray body (2) having an edge reinforcement (6) made of synthetic resin on its underside, and - a mounting frame (10) which is provided to support the tray body (2), wherein the mounting frame (10) is arranged on the underside of the tray body (2) and is connected to the edge reinforcement (6).