bathtub

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional bathtubs have a complex appearance due to numerous accessory components, including visible water inlet and outlet ports, overflow holes, and additional features like massage and ultrasonic nozzles, which detract from their aesthetic appeal.

Innovation Solution

A bathtub design featuring a cover body integrated into the inner bottom face, with hidden water passing gaps for inlet and outlet functions, controlled electronically, and incorporating massage, light, and anti-overflow components, maintaining a simple and elegant appearance by concealing these features.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple accessory components (drain valve, water inlet port, massage nozzles, ultrasonic nozzles) are provided in the bathtub body, then the functional requirements are met, but the appearance becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional requirementsVSAvoidappearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the functional components (drain valve, water inlet port, massage nozzles, ultrasonic nozzles) from the visible surface of the bathtub body and relocates them to the bottom interior. The cover body conceals these components, allowing them to be taken out of the aesthetic field while remaining accessible for their intended functions. This resolves the contradiction by separating the visual appearance from the functional requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a nested structure where the cover body is placed within the bathtub body, and the functional components are nested within the cover body. The water passing gaps are formed between the cover body and the bottom surface, creating a nested arrangement that hides the components while maintaining functionality. This nested configuration allows the bathtub to maintain a simple appearance while incorporating multiple functional features.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Device complexity

If the cover body is made to cover all components, then the appearance becomes simple, but the accessibility for maintenance and operation becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveappearanceVSAvoidaccessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the cover body detachable rather than fixed. The cover body can be removed to access the functional components for maintenance and operation, and then reattached to maintain the simple appearance. This dynamic configuration allows the system to switch between two states: a concealed state for aesthetic purposes and an exposed state for maintenance access, thereby resolving the contradiction between simple appearance and ease of repair.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If water inlet and drainage ports are concealed under the cover body, then the appearance is simplified, but the water flow control becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveappearanceVSAvoidwater flow control
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical water flow control systems with an electronic control system. The control component electronically manages the water inlet and drainage functions through the water passing gaps, eliminating the need for visible mechanical valves and controls on the bathtub surface. This substitution maintains the simplified appearance while implementing automated control, resolving the contradiction between aesthetic simplicity and control complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3936017B1bathtub
Publication Date: 2025.07.23 XIAMEN AXENT
  • EP3936017B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3936017B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

A bathtub, comprising a bathtub body (100) and a cover body (30) provided at the internal bottom surface of the bathtub body (100), wherein a water passing gap (40) is provided between the cover body (30) and the internal bottom surface (10) of the bathtub body (100). The bathtub further comprises: a water discharging component (50), wherein the water discharging opening of the water discharging component (50) is covered by the cover body (30), and water in the bathtub body (100) flows into the water discharging opening by means of the water passing gap (40) for water discharging; and/or a water inlet component (60), wherein the water of the water inlet component (60) is covered by the cover body (30), and water flows from the water inlet into the bathtub body (100) by means of the water passing gap (40).