Rubber Sleeve Siphon Seal for Shower Tray Leak Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional siphon seals in shower trays often become porous or brittle, leading to water leaks that can cause damage and mold growth, and are difficult to inspect for leaks after installation.
Innovation Solution
A rubber sleeve encloses the siphon assembly and drain pipe connection, forming a liquid-tight seal that collects and contains any leakage water, using its elasticity to adapt to different structural conditions and prevent water escape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional gaskets and sealants are used to seal the siphon, then the sealing function is provided initially, but the seal becomes porous or brittle over time leading to water leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from conventional gaskets and sealants to a rubber sleeve material that remains flexible and elastic over time, preventing the porosity and brittleness that cause sealing failure in traditional materials
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite sealing system combining a rubber sleeve with upper and lower sealing lips that rest on the shower tray and step support surface, creating a multi-material sealing solution that leverages the advantages of each material type
2Ease of manufacture
If the siphon is installed beneath the shower tray, then space is saved and installation is simplified, but leak detection becomes impossible after installation
Solution Approach 1:
The rubber sleeve acts as an intermediary containment element between the siphon and the surrounding environment, collecting any leakage water in the space between its inner surface and the siphon outer surface, making leaks detectable through water accumulation in the sleeve
3Strength
If a rigid seal structure is used, then the seal provides strong initial sealing, but it cannot adapt to different structural conditions and mechanical stress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible rubber sleeve instead of a rigid seal structure, allowing the seal to deform and adapt to different structural conditions and mechanical stress while maintaining sealing effectiveness through its elastic properties
Solution Approach 2:
The rubber sleeve provides a dynamic sealing solution that can adjust and deform in response to mechanical stress and structural variations, unlike static rigid seals, enabling the seal to maintain contact and sealing pressure under varying conditions
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 rubber sleeve effectively prevents water leaks by creating an overpressure that maintains the seal, ensuring long-term watertightness and easy installation, while being adaptable to various siphon designs.
Implementation Method 1
the seal is a rubber sleeve that is adapted to enclose the siphon assembly and the connection area to the drain pipe in a liquid-tight manner
Implementation Method 2
The leakage water is collected in a pressure-tight manner in the space between the inside of the rubber sleeve and the outer surface of the siphon from which the leakage water is escaping. In this space, the increasing pressure of the leakage water creates an overpressure that counteracts the water escaping from the siphon
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4
AI summary
Siphon seal for sealing a siphon (10) whose assembly (29) is installed in a mounting opening (4) of a shower tray (1) and comprises at least an inlet area, a main body (17) and a drain area with a drain pipe (30) mounted thereon, with a flexible seal made of an elastomer which seals the assembly of the siphon at least in the area of the mounting opening (4), wherein the seal is a rubber sleeve (20) which is designed as a hose encompassing the assembly (29) and which is able to contain the leakage water escaping from the assembly (29) in a sealed manner.