Sink Screen Assembly With Suction Attachment and Fluid Passage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sink coverings do not effectively conceal the contents of a sink while allowing for fluid passage and easy installation, and they lack aesthetic appeal and flexibility.

Innovation Solution

A sink covering assembly with a screen and suction cups that extends over the sink, featuring threaded suction cups, apertures, grommets, and a decorative design, allowing for easy installation and flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a screen is used to cover the sink, then the sink contents are concealed and fluid passage is allowed, but the screen lacks secure attachment and stability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment stabilityVSAvoidattachment mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs suction cups with vacuum chambers that utilize pneumatic pressure differential to attach the screen to the sink surface. By creating a vacuum seal through the suction cups, the screen achieves secure attachment without complex mechanical fastening systems, resolving the contradiction between reliable attachment and device simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Adaptability or versatility

If a rigid screen is used, then structural stability is achieved, but flexibility and adaptability to different sink shapes are lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to sink shapesVSAvoidstructural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes a flexible screen made of mesh material that can conform to various sink shapes and surfaces. The flexibility of the thin film screen allows it to adapt to different geometries while maintaining structural integrity through the mesh construction, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and structural stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Ease of manufacture

If existing sink coverings are used, then basic coverage is provided, but aesthetic appeal and decorative value are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidaesthetic appeal

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates decorative elements including patterns, colors, and designs on the screen surface. The mesh screen can feature various aesthetic configurations that enhance visual appeal while maintaining the simple manufacturing process of assembling the screen with suction cups, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and aesthetic appeal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color 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

The solution effectively conceals the sink contents, allows for fluid passage, and is easy to install and remove, while providing a decorative and flexible option.

Implementation Method 1

A plurality of suction cups is coupled to the screen adjacent to the peripheral edge of the screen. Each of the suction cups is configured for engaging a surface adjacent to a sink

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentUS9032567B1Sink covering assembly

Publication Date: 2015.05.19 GALGANO ANN MARIE

AI summary

A sink covering assembly for selectively concealing the contents of a sink includes a screen with a peripheral edge. A plurality of suction cups is coupled to the screen adjacent to the peripheral edge of the screen. Each of the suction cups is configured for engaging a surface adjacent to a sink whereby the screen extends over and covers the sink.