Toilet Positioning Template for Accurate Wall Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Accurately positioning a two-piece gravity-operated flush toilet relative to the bathroom wall is challenging, requiring repeated measurements and adjustments during installation.
Innovation Solution
A positioning template with indicia and protrusions that guide the installer to correctly align the toilet bowl and base with the wall, ensuring proper placement without repeated measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional measurement methods are used to position the toilet, then positioning accuracy can be achieved, but installation time and complexity increase due to repeated measurements and adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The template is pre-manufactured with all necessary dimensional relationships and alignment features already established. The installer simply places the template on the floor and aligns it with the wall and drain location, eliminating the need for repeated measurements during installation. The template embodies preliminary measurement and calculation work that would otherwise be done repeatedly during the positioning process.
Solution Approach 2:
The template serves as an intermediary tool between the wall/drain reference points and the toilet bowl. It translates the required positioning accuracy into a simple physical alignment task, where the template's edges and features act as mediators to ensure correct toilet placement without requiring the installer to perform complex measurements and calculations.
2Measurement precision
If conventional measurement methods are used to position the toilet, then positioning accuracy can be achieved, but installation complexity increases due to constant measuring and re-measuring
Solution Approach 1:
All the complex dimensional relationships and alignment requirements are pre-calculated and embodied in the template's physical structure during manufacturing. The template includes pre-marked lines, edges, and features that encode the correct positioning information, transforming a complex measurement task into a simple physical alignment task that requires minimal installer skill and judgment.
Solution Approach 2:
The template is a physical copy or replica of the correct toilet positioning geometry. It reproduces the essential dimensional relationships and alignment features needed for proper toilet installation, allowing the installer to work with a simplified model rather than performing complex measurements and calculations directly on the installation site.
3Productivity
If a template is provided with the toilet, then installation speed and accuracy improve, but manufacturing and distribution costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The template is designed as a simple, inexpensive tool that can be manufactured from low-cost materials such as thin plywood, MDF, or even rigid cardboard. It is a single-use or limited-use item that does not need to be durable or expensive, as its primary value is in facilitating quick and accurate installation rather than in long-term durability. The low manufacturing cost is offset by the significant time savings during installation.
Data Source
AI summary
A positioning template comprises a forward portion, a rearward portion, and a medial portion. The rearward portion include a first plurality of indicia, and the medial portion includes a second plurality of indicia. The positioning template further includes a top surface which includes a third plurality of indicia and a plurality of guides. The positioning template includes a bottom surface and a plurality of protrusions extending downwardly from the bottom surface.