Bath Lift Backrest Locking Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bath lift devices require significant physical effort to separate and remove the backrest and seat plate, and existing solutions either increase costs with extra bolts or are not easily adaptable to existing bath lifts.
Innovation Solution
A bath lift device with a scissor-type guide mechanism and a locking/release mechanism using pivotally connected locking levers, allowing the backrest and seat plate to be easily disconnected and reconnected, facilitating easy removal without additional bolts and adapting to existing bath lifts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the backrest and seat plate are fixed together with bolts to protect the actuator from horizontal forces, then the structural integrity and protection from side loads is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase due to extra bolts
Solution Approach 1:
The locking lever is integrated into the seat plate structure, merging the locking function with the seat plate itself. This eliminates the need for separate locking bolts while maintaining the ability to securely connect the backrest and seat plate, thereby reducing device complexity while preserving structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking lever serves multiple functions: it acts as both a structural support element and a locking mechanism. By designing the locking lever to perform both functions, the patent eliminates the need for additional dedicated locking bolts, reducing complexity while maintaining the protective function against horizontal forces.
2Strength
If the backrest and seat plate are fixed together with bolts to protect the actuator from horizontal forces, then the protection from side loads is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases due to extra bolts
Solution Approach 1:
The locking lever is integrated into the seat plate structure, merging the locking function with the seat plate itself. This eliminates the need for separate locking bolts while maintaining the ability to securely connect the backrest and seat plate, thereby reducing device complexity while preserving structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking lever serves multiple functions: it acts as both a structural support element and a locking mechanism. By designing the locking lever to perform both functions, the patent eliminates the need for additional dedicated locking bolts, reducing complexity while maintaining the protective function against horizontal forces.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the bath lift device is designed as a whole unit, then the structural integrity is maintained, but the ease of operation for removal and transport deteriorates due to significant physical effort required
Solution Approach 1:
The bath lift device is divided into separable components (backrest and seat plate) that can be easily disconnected from each other. The locking lever provides a simple locking mechanism that allows quick assembly and disassembly, enabling the components to be separated for easy removal and transport while maintaining structural integrity when assembled.
4Ease of operation
If the backrest and seat plate are easily separable, then the ease of operation for removal is improved, but the reliability of connection deteriorates due to potential instability
Solution Approach 1:
The locking lever is designed to be dynamically adjustable between locked and unlocked positions. When locked, it provides a secure connection between the backrest and seat plate, ensuring reliability. When unlocked, it allows easy separation. This dynamic design enables the connection to be both reliable when assembled and easy to separate when needed.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention concerns a bath lift device (10) for raising and lowering persons into or out of a bathtub comprising: - a chassis (11) to rest on a portion of the bath tub; - a seat plate (21) and a backrest (22) pivotally connected thereto, said backrest being pivotally movable relative to said seat plate between three rest positions, i.e. an upright rest position, corresponding to the normal position of use, a rear rest position, in which the backrest is positioned rearward relative to the upright rest position, and a front rest position, in which the backrest is positioned forward relative to the upright position; - a lifting means for adjusting the height of the seat plate (21) between a lowermost end position and an uppermost end position, the lifting means comprising a driving means (23) mounted to the backrest (22) and a lifting member (24) to be actuated by the driving means (23); - a bearing support (25) secured to the chassis (11) and provided with a cam profile (253) in which a lower end of the lifting member (24) is engaged so as to permit the movement of the backrest (22) between the rear rest position and the upright rest position; - at least one locking lever (31), that is pivotally connected to the backrest (22), said locking lever being adapted to define at least one first locking position, in which the locking lever (31) prevents a pivoting movement of the backrest (22) relative to the seat plate (21) in the upright rest position of the backrest (22) when the lifting member (24) extends over a specific extension length and permits said pivoting movement when the lifting member (24) is retracted under said specific extension length.