Adjustable bathing chair assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bathing chair devices do not adequately facilitate physically disabled users to bathe themselves, particularly in accessing their genitals and inner thighs, and lack adjustable height options for comfortable bathing and exiting.
Innovation Solution
A bathing chair with a seat featuring a slot for genital and inner thigh access, supported by adjustable hydraulic pistons that can be raised or lowered using integrated hydraulic pumps, allowing users to bathe while seated and assisting with standing and exiting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional solid seat is used, then the seat provides full support and coverage, but the user cannot access their genitals and inner thighs for bathing
Solution Approach 1:
The seat is segmented by incorporating a slot that divides the seat surface, allowing access to the user's genitals and inner thighs while maintaining seat support. This segmentation enables the seat to simultaneously provide coverage and allow access to specific areas for bathing.
2Ease of operation
If the seat height is fixed, then the structure is simple, but the user cannot adjust the height for comfortable bathing and exiting
Solution Approach 1:
The seat height is made dynamically adjustable through a hydraulic piston system that allows the user to raise and lower the seat according to their needs. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the seat to adapt to different bathing and exiting requirements while providing user control.
Solution Approach 2:
A hydraulic piston and pump system is integrated to provide height adjustment functionality. The hydraulic mechanism enables smooth and controlled height changes, allowing the user to easily adjust the seat position for comfortable bathing and safe exiting from the bathtub.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the hydraulic piston length is fixed, then the manufacturing is simpler, but the user cannot adjust the seating height to their preference
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic piston is designed with adjustable length capability, allowing the user to modify the piston extension to achieve desired seat height. This adjustability provides versatility in height control while the piston maintains structural integrity through telescopic or extendable design elements.
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
Enables physically disabled users to independently bathe by providing accessible genital and inner thigh washing, adjustable seating height for comfort and safety, and easy entry/exit from the bathtub.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of hydraulic pistons is each coupled to and extends downwardly from the seat such that each of the hydraulic pistons to support the seat above a floor of the bathtub. Each of the hydraulic pistons has an adjustable length.
Implementation Method 2
Each of the hydraulic pumps is actuatable in a lowering condition to raise the seat and each of the hydraulic pumps is actuatable in a lifting condition to lower to the seat.
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustable bathing chair assembly includes a seat that has a slot is integrated into the seat such that that a user's genitals and inner thighs are accessible through the seat. A plurality of hydraulic pistons is each coupled to and extends downwardly from the seat such that each of the hydraulic pistons to support the seat above a floor of the bathtub. Each of the hydraulic pistons has an adjustable length. A pair of hydraulic pumps is each integrated into the seat and each of the hydraulic pumps is in fluid communication with a respective pair of the hydraulic pistons. Each of the hydraulic pumps is actuatable in a lowering condition to raise the seat and each of the hydraulic pumps is actuatable in a lifting condition to lower to the seat.