Washbasin Drain Panel with Pivoting Removal for Easy Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing washbasins with panel elements inserted into the drain are difficult to remove, hindering cleaning and drainage due to accumulated hair and solids behind the panel.

Innovation Solution

A washbasin design featuring a panel element that can be easily pivoted into an intermediate position, allowing for easy removal and access to the drain chamber, with a bearing point arrangement that facilitates user handling and a gap structure for enhanced drainage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the panel element is firmly fixed in the drain opening, then the drainage structure is stable and secure, but the panel becomes difficult to remove for cleaning and maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrainage structure stabilityVSAvoidpanel removability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The panel element is designed to be pivotable about a pivot axis, transitioning from a fixed position during normal use to a tilted intermediate position for removal. This dynamic capability allows the panel to be firmly secured during drainage while enabling easy removal for cleaning by pivoting into the intermediate position where it can be grasped and detached from the bearing point.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Shape

If the panel element covers the entire drain opening, then the appearance is seamless and water flow is directed properly, but access to the drain chamber is blocked and cleaning is hindered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseamless appearanceVSAvoiddrain chamber accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The panel element can pivot from its normal position covering the drain opening to an intermediate position where it is tilted and accessible for removal. In the intermediate position, the panel is angled such that users can grasp it and detach it from the bearing point, providing access to the drain chamber for cleaning while maintaining the seamless appearance during normal use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the panel element is designed for easy removal, then maintenance is simplified, but the connection structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepanel removabilityVSAvoidconnection structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connection structure is segmented into a bearing point fixed in the drain chamber and a panel element that can be attached and detached from the bearing point. The panel element is mounted on the bearing point via a pivotable connection, allowing the panel to be easily removed for maintenance while keeping the overall connection structure relatively simple and integrated.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3773099B1Washing table
Publication Date: 2022.12.07 GEBERIT INT AG
  • EP3773099B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3773099B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3773099B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A wash stand (1) comprises a wash basin (2) having a drain opening (3) which opens into a drain chamber (4). In the drain opening (3) there is a screen element (5) which extends over part of the drain opening (3) such that, at least in a lower region (6) of the drain opening (3), a gap (7) is created through which water can flow out of the wash basin (2) into the drain chamber (4). In the drain chamber (4) there is at least one mounting point (8) on which the screen element (5) is supported removably by the at least one mounting point (8). The screen element (5) in the at least one mounting point (8) is mounted pivotably about at least one pivot axis (S1, S2) such that the screen element (5) can be pivoted from a use position into an intermediate position in which the screen element (5) can easily be grasped by a user. From its intermediate position, the screen element (5) can be removed from the mounting point (8) out of the drain opening (3).