Bath Plug Mechanism for Automatic Drainage During Fainting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Elderly individuals and susceptible persons are at risk of fatal drowning in bathtubs due to fainting and inability to recover consciousness, as existing safety measures are inadequate in preventing water ingress and alerting authorities in time.
Innovation Solution
A safety bath plug device with a cone and pedal-like units that automatically drains water when the user becomes unconscious, and an electric version connected to a tilt sensor and home security system to alert services, along with a shower fall prevention system using a rod and cushion to stabilize the user.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional bath plug is used, then the drain pipe is sealed to prevent water leakage, but the user cannot be alerted when fainting and water cannot be drained automatically
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines the bath plug function with an alarm system and automatic drainage capability into a single integrated device. The plug unit includes both the sealing component and the alarm sensor, merging multiple safety functions (sealing, detection, alerting, and drainage activation) into one device to improve drowning prevention without requiring multiple separate components
Solution Approach 2:
The bath plug is designed to automatically detect when the user has fainted through sensors that monitor movement or pressure changes, automatically trigger the alarm, and automatically activate the drainage system without requiring manual intervention. This self-service capability ensures continuous protection even when the user is unconscious
2Reliability
If the bath plug remains sealed during fainting, then water stays in the tub, but the user may drown if unconsciousness persists
Solution Approach 1:
The alarm system is pre-configured to immediately activate upon detecting fainting symptoms, and the automatic drainage system is pre-programmed to start draining water simultaneously with the alarm activation. This preliminary preparation ensures that help is alerted and water begins draining within seconds of the incident, maximizing survival chances by minimizing response time
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the user's state through sensors and provides immediate feedback by triggering the alarm and drainage system when abnormal conditions (such as lack of movement or pressure changes indicating fainting) are detected. This real-time feedback mechanism ensures rapid response to drowning risks
3Ease of operation
If pedal-like units are added to the bath plug, then the plug can be easily dislodged during distress, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The pedal-like units are positioned and designed to be automatically activated by the user's body movements during fainting or distress, such as leg movements or body sliding. The units require minimal force to trigger and work passively with the user's natural movements, providing easy operation during emergencies without requiring complex control mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The bath plug is divided into functional segments: the sealing component, the pedal-like activation units, and the alarm/drainage system. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while maintaining overall system simplicity, with the pedal units serving as a separate, easily activated mechanism for dislodging the plug
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
Increases chances of survival by draining water and alerting authorities promptly, while the shower fall prevention system minimizes injuries by stabilizing the user during falls.
Implementation Method 1
the bath plug device has an overall density which is slightly below the density of water such that the bath plug device starts to float as soon it is detached from the drain pipe
Implementation Method 2
a tilt sensor is fixed inside the protrusion, which in turn is wirelessly connected to a bath security switch and/or a house server
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to devices for preventing fatal bathroom accidents relating to drowning. Accordingly, in a first preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a bath plug device for closing a drain pipe of a bath tub, comprising a bath plug, a cone attached to the top of the bath plug, and at least one pedal-like unit attached to the left and/or to the right of the cone.