Accessible Bathtub Sheet-Flow Drain for Rapid Emptying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional accessible bathtubs take too long to drain, causing chilling for bathers, as they must remain in the tub until the water has fully drained and the door is opened, which can be uncomfortable and even painful.
Innovation Solution
A rapid-draining bathtub system with a sheet-flow drain and a gray water reservoir, featuring a linear or annular drain design, inflatable door seals, and a gutter system to direct water into the reservoir, allowing for quick drainage in under 2 minutes, preventing prolonged exposure to cold air.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional drain system is used in an accessible bathtub, then the bathtub can be easily accessed by individuals with disabilities, but the draining process takes too long causing chilling effects for the bather
Solution Approach 1:
The drain system is segmented into multiple drain holes distributed across the tub bottom and sides, allowing parallel water flow paths that collectively increase the total drainage capacity while maintaining ease of access
Solution Approach 2:
The drain system transitions from a single conventional drain hole to a multi-dimensional array of drain holes distributed across the tub bottom and side walls, utilizing three-dimensional space to maximize drainage surface area and flow capacity
2Loss of time
If the bathtub is equipped with a rapid-draining system, then the draining time is reduced minimizing chilling effects, but the system complexity increases with additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The drain holes are positioned and sized to create self-regulating flow patterns where water naturally drains through multiple paths without requiring complex control mechanisms, valves, or automated systems to manage the drainage process
3Productivity
If multiple drain holes are created in the tub bottom and sides, then the drainage capacity is increased, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The drain system utilizes multiple small-diameter holes rather than fewer large holes, changing the geometric parameters to increase total surface area for water flow while reducing the precision required for each individual hole, as the cumulative effect of many approximate holes exceeds the capacity of fewer precise ones
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 system enables quick drainage of the bathtub, minimizing chilling effects for bathers by rapidly emptying the tub through a high-capacity sheet-flow drain into a reservoir, ensuring comfort and safety during the draining process.
Implementation Method 1
a drain passage that conducts water from the tub and into the reservoir by gravity
Implementation Method 2
The drain passage may include a water-retaining U-shaped cross section portion, which may retain a water barrier, for example, to prevent odors from escaping the reservoir
Data Source
AI summary
A bathtub system, including a tub with a bather access opening in one sidewall and a door mounted on that sidewall. In the closed position, the door is adjacent the access opening, and in the open position the door is substantially clear of the access opening. The system includes a gray water reservoir under the tub of approximately the capacity of the tub and which can be connected to a sewer system. A high capacity tub drain conducts water from the tub into the reservoir by gravity alone very quickly.