Bath tub, and/or shower tray
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bathtubs and shower trays often fail to accommodate varying user needs, particularly for elderly and disabled individuals, as they either have a deep profile that is difficult to enter or a shallow profile that lacks sufficient water depth for bathing.
Innovation Solution
A bathtub or shower tray design featuring ring-shaped elements that can be adjusted in height, with a lifting and lowering mechanism using electrically, hydraulically, or pneumatically actuated cylinders, allowing for variable wall height and easy access, and incorporating a drainage channel for a flush installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the bathtub is designed with a deep profile to provide sufficient water depth for bathing, then water depth is improved, but ease of entry and exit deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The bathtub employs movable wall elements that can be adjusted between extended and retracted positions. When retracted, the walls disappear into the floor, creating a shallow entry suitable for elderly or disabled persons. When extended, they provide the necessary depth for comfortable bathing, thus dynamically adapting the tub depth to different usage requirements
2Ease of operation
If the bathtub is designed with a shallow profile to enable easy entry and exit, then ease of operation is improved, but water depth deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The same movable wall elements that enable shallow entry configuration can be extended to provide sufficient water depth when bathing is required. This dynamic adjustment allows the bathtub to transition from a shallow entry state to a deep bathing state, resolving the contradiction between ease of access and water depth requirements
3Adaptability or versatility
If the wall elements are made movable and adjustable in height, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms with a lifting cylinder system that can be actuated electrically, hydraulically, or pneumatically. This substitution simplifies the control interface while maintaining the ability to adjust wall height, reducing the complexity of manual mechanical operations
Solution Approach 2:
The use of lifting cylinders actuated by hydraulic or pneumatic systems provides a compact and efficient mechanism for moving the heavy wall elements. This approach offers smooth, controlled movement with minimal user effort, avoiding the need for complex manual cranks, levers, or screw mechanisms
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 easy entry and exit, adjustable water depth, and a seamless transition between showering and bathing, ensuring accessibility and aesthetic appeal while maintaining effective water containment.
Implementation Method 1
at least one lifting and lowering mechanism articulated thereto is provided on the ring-shaped element that can be displaced furthest relative to the base part, wherein the lifting and lowering mechanism comprises at least one electrically, hydraulically or pneumatically actuated lifting cylinder
Implementation Method 2
at least one essentially ring-shaped sealing element is provided between two essentially ring-shaped elements
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
Figure 6
AI summary
In the case of a bathtub and/or shower tray (1) with a base part (6) connected to drain fittings and a wall or side element which completely surrounds the perimeter of the base part and is arranged essentially perpendicularly to the base part (6), the wall or side element is formed in multiple parts from essentially ring-shaped elements (2) that can be fastened tightly to one another, that the essentially ring-shaped elements (2) can be displaced relative to one another in the direction of a height extension of the bathtub and/or shower tray (1), in particular can be pushed in and apart, that between two essentially ring-shaped elements (2), at least one essentially ring-shaped sealing element (10) is provided, that at least one lifting and lowering mechanism (3) articulated thereon is provided on the ring-shaped element (2) that can be displaced furthest relative to the base part (6). is, and that optionally at least partially inside the bathtub and / or shower tray e (1) arranged seat or cushion element (7) is provided.