Floor-Level Shower Tray Assembly for Sealing on Uneven Floors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing floor-level shower surface units face challenges in easy installation, maintaining long-term sealing, and ensuring barrier-free access due to complex assembly processes and potential water penetration issues, especially when dealing with uneven floor surfaces.

Innovation Solution

A shower surface unit constructed in two layers with a thin-walled upper layer and a lower layer of synthetic resin, reinforced with a synthetic resin edge, which forms a stable and cohesive connection with a mounting frame, allowing for easy assembly and effective sealing, and featuring adjustable frame feet for alignment with the floor.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a one-piece shower tray with sealing lips is used, then sealing is improved, but installation time and craftsmanship requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesealingVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The shower tray is divided into multiple components: a tray body, a separate mounting frame, and adjustable feet. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently and assembled quickly on-site, reducing installation time while maintaining sealing effectiveness through the integrated mounting frame design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting frame is pre-assembled with the tray body and sealed in the factory before delivery. This preliminary assembly ensures proper sealing configuration is already in place, eliminating the need for complex on-site sealing work and reducing installation time and craftsmanship requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If height adjustment is arranged below the shower tray, then accessibility during installation is improved, but the shower tray construction becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveaccessibilityVSAvoidconstruction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The height adjustment mechanism is integrated into the mounting frame as separate adjustable feet, which are distinct from the tray body. This segmentation allows the adjustment function to be accessible and independent while keeping the overall construction simple and modular.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Weight of moving object

If the shower tray is constructed in two parts, then weight is reduced, but water penetration risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveweightVSAvoidwater penetration resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting frame integrates the sealing function by combining the frame structure with sealing elements that create a continuous waterproof barrier between the tray body and the floor. This merging of structural and sealing functions maintains water penetration resistance while allowing the tray to be constructed in lightweight parts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If conventional floor preparation is required, then sealing can be achieved, but production complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesealingVSAvoidproduction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting frame includes integrated sealing elements that automatically adapt to the installation surface, eliminating the need for separate sealing foils or coatings. The design self-adjusts to floor variations, simplifying both production and installation while maintaining reliable sealing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3031371B1Floor level shower surface unit which is ready for installation
Publication Date: 2018.10.10 MAUERSBERGER FALKO
  • EP3031371B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3031371B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3031371B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a shower surface unit for floor-level installation, comprising a shower tray constructed in at least two layers with an upper side and an underside, the upper layer forming the upper side and the lower layer, which forms the underside, consisting of synthetic resin and having an edge reinforcement made of synthetic resin and a Mounting frame, which is arranged on the underside of the shower tray, is connected to the edge reinforcement and is higher than the underside of the shower tray, the lower layer and the edge reinforcement forming one layer. In addition, the invention relates to a manufacturing and assembly method for this.