Slipping-Resistant Mat Structure for Drainage and Anti-Floating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bathtub mats made of foam materials are prone to floating, water absorption, mold growth, and reduced slip resistance when wet, as they have lower density than water and absorb water, leading to ponding and decreased effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A slipping-resistant mat comprising a top layer with smaller holes, a bottom layer of weaved fibers with larger holes, and a support layer in between, all communicating holes, and coated with resin, PVC, silicone, or rubber, ensuring a density greater than 1 g/cm³ to prevent floating and water absorption, with the support layer providing resilience and anti-slip properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If foam material is used for the mat, then the mat is soft and comfortable, but the mat floats when drowned by water and absorbs water leading to mold growth
Solution Approach 1:
The mat is constructed as a composite structure with multiple layers: a top layer, a bottom layer, and a support layer made of different materials. The support layer uses hydrophobic fibers to prevent water absorption, while the top and bottom layers provide comfort and drainage functionality. This composite approach allows the mat to maintain comfort while preventing floating and mold growth.
Solution Approach 2:
The mat incorporates porous structures including through holes in the support layer and a netted material in the bottom layer. These porous features enable water to drain through the mat rather than being absorbed, preventing water accumulation and mold growth while maintaining the comfort provided by the layered structure.
2Quantity of substance
If foam mat absorbs water, then the mat becomes wet, but the mat loses anti-slip ability and requires squeezing or discharging water
Solution Approach 1:
The support layer is made of hydrophobic fibers with porous structure that repels water, preventing absorption. The through holes and netted bottom layer create channels for water to drain through, ensuring the mat surface remains dry and maintains anti-slip properties without requiring manual water removal.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of preventing water contact entirely, the design converts the harmful water absorption property into a beneficial drainage system. The hydrophobic fibers and porous structure guide water through the mat to the bottom drainage layer, transforming the problem of water accumulation into an automatic drainage solution that maintains anti-slip ability.
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 mat effectively prevents water ponding, maintains cleanliness, ensures easy drying, and provides enhanced anti-slip and comfort while preventing mold growth and floating, with efficient water drainage and protection from debris entry.
Implementation Method 1
ensuring a density greater than 1 g/cm³ to prevent floating and water absorption
Implementation Method 2
The fibers of the bottom layer are optionally at least partially covered with a coating agent selected from a group composed of resin, PVC, silicone, PU, and rubber
Implementation Method 3
The top holes, the bottom holes, and the through holes communicate with each other
Data Source
AI summary
The slipping-resistant mat includes a top layer (10), a bottom layer (30), and a support layer (20). The top layer is formed with a plurality of top holes (11). The bottom layer is formed with woven fibers. The bottom layer is formed with a plurality of bottom holes (31). The support layer in a predetermined thickness is formed with woven fibers and arranged between the top layer and the bottom layer. The support layer is formed with a plurality of through holes (21). The top layer is arranged on a top of the support layer. The bottom layer is arranged on a bottom of the support layer. The top holes, the bottom holes, and the through holes communicate with each other. Each top hole has a smaller diameter than that of each bottom hole. The fibers of the bottom layer are at least partially covered with resin, PVC, PU, silicone, or rubber.