Urinal Mounting Bracket With Sliding Guide

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing urinal mounting systems require complete removal from the wall for maintenance, leading to potential injury, damage, and hygiene issues, as well as susceptibility to incorrect re-installation due to human error.

Innovation Solution

A mounting arrangement that allows access to the rear of the urinal without full removal, using a bracket and seal system that keeps the urinal attached to the wall during maintenance, with an installation template to prevent incorrect installation and a seal to protect against damage and hygiene concerns.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the urinal is completely removed from the wall for maintenance, then access to the rear and internal volume is improved, but the risk of injury and damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAccess to rear of urinalVSAvoidRisk of injury and damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting system is divided into separate components: a fixed mounting bracket attached to the wall, and a removable urinal unit. This segmentation allows the urinal to be partially detached for maintenance while remaining supported by the bracket, eliminating the need for complete removal and reducing injury risk.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A coupling mechanism acts as an intermediary between the urinal and the mounting bracket. This intermediary component enables controlled access to the rear of the urinal while maintaining a physical connection to the wall, preventing the urinal from falling or being damaged during maintenance operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the urinal is completely removed from the wall, then maintenance access is improved, but re-installation errors increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveMaintenance accessVSAvoidCorrect re-installation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Alignment marks are pre-marked on the mounting bracket and urinal unit before installation. These preliminary markings guide the correct positioning and alignment of the urinal during re-installation, ensuring that pipes and connections are properly aligned without requiring complex measurement or adjustment procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling mechanism serves as a standardized intermediary that ensures consistent and correct connection between the urinal and mounting bracket. By using this intermediate component, the system eliminates variability in re-installation procedures and ensures reliable re-connection of all parts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the urinal is completely removed from the wall, then maintenance access is improved, but hygiene concerns increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveMaintenance accessVSAvoidHygiene concerns
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the urinal into a mounted portion (remaining on the wall) and a removable portion (that can be accessed for maintenance). This segmentation allows maintenance personnel to work on the rear of the urinal while it remains supported and connected to the wall, minimizing the need to handle and relocate the entire unit, thereby reducing hygiene contamination risks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of operation

If the urinal is completely removed from the wall, then maintenance access is improved, but time and effort required increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveMaintenance accessVSAvoidTime for removal and re-installation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting system is segmented into a permanent bracket and a removable urinal unit, allowing maintenance personnel to access the rear of the urinal by simply detaching the unit from the bracket rather than completely removing it from the wall. This segmentation dramatically reduces the time and effort required for maintenance while still providing adequate access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of completely removing the urinal from the wall (excessive action), the system allows partial detachment where the urinal remains connected to the mounting bracket. This partial action is sufficient to provide maintenance access while minimizing the time and effort required compared to full removal and re-installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3705646B1Urinal mounting arrangement
Publication Date: 2023.09.06 IDEAL STANDARD INT
  • EP3705646B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3705646B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3705646B1 patent drawingFigure 2B~2C

AI summary

The present invention is concerned with a sanitary-ware mounting arrangement. The sanitary ware mounting arrangement comprises a coupling wherein the coupling comprises a first portion configured to engage in use with a sanitary-ware product and a second portion located within a movement guide. The movement guide comprises a channel allowing translation of the sanitary-ware product away from a mounting surface. The sanitary-ware product is rotatable with respect to the movement guide following the translation of the sanitary-ware product away from the mounting surface.