Bathing Chair Seat Locking Mechanism for Stable Positioning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bathing chairs for elderly and handicapped individuals are cumbersome to manually fix and risk inadvertent seat shifting, with limited position fixability.
Innovation Solution
A fixing device comprising lugs, an elastic blocking piece, a sleeve, and a manually adjustable arm that secures the seat in any desired position by applying friction against the horizontal rods, preventing unintended movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual fixing of the seat position is used, then the device structure is simple, but the ease of operation deteriorates and reliability worsens due to inadvertent releasing
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing device enables automatic locking through the interaction between the blocking piece and the arm. When the arm is moved to a desired position, the blocking piece automatically engages with the arm's lateral surface, providing self-locking functionality without requiring additional fastening operations or complex manual fixing procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking piece acts as an intermediary element between the seat assembly and the arm. It transfers and secures the positional relationship between these components through frictional engagement, enabling reliable position fixation while maintaining structural simplicity
2Device complexity
If manual fixing of the seat position is used, then the device structure is simple, but the reliability deteriorates due to risk of inadvertent releasing
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing device enables automatic locking through the interaction between the blocking piece and the arm. When the arm is moved to a desired position, the blocking piece automatically engages with the arm's lateral surface, providing self-locking functionality without requiring additional fastening operations or complex manual fixing procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking piece is designed with elastic material that provides pre-compression force against the arm's lateral surface. This elastic force creates continuous pressure that prevents inadvertent releasing before any releasing action is intentionally initiated by the user
3Device complexity
If conventional fixing devices are used, then the structure is simple, but the adaptability deteriorates as the seat is fixable only in two positions
Solution Approach 1:
The arm is designed as a movable component that can be positioned continuously along the horizontal rod within a specific range. This dynamic positioning capability, combined with the blocking piece's frictional engagement, allows the seat to be fixed at any position within the adjustable range rather than being limited to discrete positions
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing device serves multiple functions: it provides position fixation, enables continuous adjustment within a range, and maintains structural simplicity. The blocking piece and arm combination acts as a universal fixing mechanism that can accommodate various positions without requiring position-specific components
4Ease of operation
If friction-based fixing is used, then the ease of operation improves, but the force required to maintain position increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking piece is designed with specific dimensional parameters (width, thickness, and contact surface area) that optimize the friction force. By carefully selecting these parameters, the device achieves sufficient holding force through friction while minimizing the force required to move the arm to different positions
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 secure and convenient fixing of the seat in any position, reducing the risk of accidental shifting and enhancing user safety during bathing.
Implementation Method 1
A fixing device (7) prevents shifting of the seat (4) and allows to fix the seat (4) in any desired position
Data Source
AI summary
A bathing chair with a fixing device comprises a front frame, a rear frame, a bearing assembly with several gliding blocks, with an opening cut into at least one of the gliding blocks, a seat, a handle, and a fixing device. The fixing device is mounted at a gliding block and further comprises two lugs, each having a hole and aligned on two sides of the gliding block, a blocking piece, having an excentric hole, an axis, passing through the holes of the two lugs and the excentric hole of the blocking piece, and an arm, attached to a periphery of the blocking piece. Manual turning of the blocking piece causes the blocking piece to reach through the opening, blocking the seat from moving.