Waterproof panel for shower tray
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current waterproof panels for shower trays often experience imperfect adhesion to the foundation, leading to water infiltrations, noise due to voids, and facilitated water spread, compromising total waterproofing and acoustic insulation.
Innovation Solution
A waterproof panel with low-relief portions on its lower face for improved adhesion, featuring a polyethylene membrane with a dovetail cross-section to retain adhesive and a double adhesive strip for secure closure, ensuring uniform adhesive distribution and mechanical anchoring, preventing water infiltration and noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a waterproof panel is made from two polystyrene plates held together by an upper membrane, then transport is facilitated through clamshell closure, but water infiltration between the panel and foundation occurs due to imperfect adhesion
Solution Approach 1:
The panel is divided into two separate plate-like elements that can be closed together in clamshell fashion for transport, yet when installed, they form a unified waterproof barrier through adhesive bonding to the foundation, resolving the conflict between transport convenience and waterproofing reliability
Solution Approach 2:
Adhesive is applied to the lower face of the panel before installation to ensure proper adhesion to the foundation, preventing water infiltration while maintaining the ability to transport the panel in a closed clamshell configuration
2Reliability
If adhesive is applied uniformly across the entire lower face, then adhesion is improved, but adhesive distribution becomes non-uniform due to voids and air pockets
Solution Approach 1:
The lower face of the panel is provided with localized adhesive application zones rather than uniform coverage, with each zone having specific geometric characteristics that ensure proper adhesive distribution and eliminate voids, thereby improving both adhesion quality and distribution uniformity
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive zones on the lower face feature curved or rounded geometric patterns that facilitate uniform adhesive flow and distribution, eliminating air pockets and voids while ensuring reliable adhesion to the foundation
3Strength
If the panel is made as a single solid piece, then structural integrity is improved, but transport and handling become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The panel is segmented into two plate-like elements that can be closed together in clamshell fashion for easy transport and handling, yet when installed with adhesive, they function as a unified structure with maintained structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The two separate plate-like elements are combined through adhesive bonding to the foundation, creating a unified waterproof barrier that maintains structural integrity while having been transported in a disassembled clamshell configuration
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 panel effectively prevents water infiltration and noise by enhancing adhesion and mechanical anchoring, ensuring reliable and competitive waterproofing and acoustic insulation.
Implementation Method 1
low-relief portions 15 adapted to accommodate adhesive for the adhesion of the panel 10 to the foundation... undercut cross-section, preferably a dovetail cross-section, in order to retain the adhesive
Implementation Method 2
a waterproof panel which is to be applied on the foundation or floor slab... made of two polystyrene plates held together by the upper membrane
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A waterproof panel for shower tray, adapted to be placed over a foundation, to be interposed between the latter and a floor covering layer. The panel (10) comprises at least one plate-like element (11, 12) and a waterproof covering (13) which is applied on top of the at least one plate-like element (11, 12), and has, on the lower face (14) for adhesion to the foundation, low-relief portions (15) adapted to accommodate adhesive for the adhesion of the panel (10) to the foundation.