Bathing Seat Two-Tier Roller Design to Reduce Wear and Inclination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bathing seat structures for bathtubs suffer from uneven inclination and heavy wear on roller members due to a single layer of rollers, and their fastening devices are inconvenient for caregivers, leading to hindered motion and operational distress.
Innovation Solution
A bathing seat structure with a two-tier configuration of upper and lower rollers and a dual freeing mechanism that requires simultaneous pressing to prevent inadvertent displacement, combined with a lever-operated rolling device for smooth rotation and secure positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single layer of roller members is used in conventional bathing seats, then the structure is simple, but the seat cushion experiences uneven inclination and heavy wear on the roller members, resulting in hindered motion
Solution Approach 1:
The roller support system is segmented into two separate layers: upper rollers positioned near the pivot connecting centre and lower rollers positioned away from it. This segmentation distributes the support function across multiple components, preventing uneven inclination and reducing wear on individual roller members, thereby ensuring smooth and reliable motion of the seat cushion.
2Strength
If conventional fastening devices with rotating handles or traction devices are used, then the base can be secured to the legs frame, but the operation is inconvenient for caregivers and causes distress such as frequent loosening or finger trapping
Solution Approach 1:
The problematic rotating handle and traction device components are extracted and replaced with a simplified lever-operated freeing mechanism. This mechanism allows the caregiver to easily release the base from the legs frame by simply pulling the lever, eliminating the inconveniences of frequent loosening and finger trapping while maintaining secure fastening when engaged.
3Ease of operation
If the seat cushion is easily displaced by inadvertent contact, then the structure is simple to operate, but the safety and stability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The freeing mechanism is designed to require deliberate action (pressing the button to a predetermined depth) to release the seat cushion. This preliminary anti-action prevents inadvertent displacement by ensuring that only intentional, forceful pressing will trigger the release, while normal accidental contacts will not affect the secured position of the seat cushion.
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 solution ensures even weight distribution and smooth rotation of the seat cushion, extending the serviceable life of the rolling device and simplifying operation by preventing accidental displacement and wear, while enhancing caregiver convenience.
Implementation Method 1
a spring member (13) and a positioning plug (131) are disposed in each of the top cross bars (12), wherein the positioning plugs (131) protrude external of the positioning holes (121)
Implementation Method 2
each of the freeing mechanisms comprises a button, a spring and a stud bolt, wherein the button is provided with a press column, the spring is mounted on the press column
Implementation Method 3
The upper plate is fitted with a lever, which is provided with a spring and a clasp post, wherein the clasp post inserts into the upper through hole and the lower through hole
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a bathing seat structure for use in a bathtub, wherein the legs frame enables fixed positioning of the base, and the base enables fixed positioning of the seat cushion. The base is provided with two freeing mechanisms, a lever, and a rolling device. After pulling open the lever, the rolling device enables the seat cushion to rotate. The two freeing mechanisms must be pressed to a predetermined depth and must be pressed simultaneously, only then can the seat cushion be shifted laterally, thus preventing inadvertent contact and causing displacement of the seat cushion. The rolling device uses a two-tier centrifugal configuration, thereby supporting equal distribution of a person's weight to achieve smooth rotation with no inclining of the seat cushion, and thus extending the serviceable life of the rolling device.