Accessible Bathtub Door Locking and Siphon Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bathing and showering devices either have a low water level that prevents immersion or require climbing over a high edge, posing difficulties for individuals with disabilities and the elderly, and often result in water leakage due to forgotten door locks.
Innovation Solution
A bathtub with a lowered entry area and an electromotive locking system that ensures the door is securely locked before water is added, featuring a sensor-activated siphon closure and a locking safety device that engages when the water level exceeds a certain point, preventing water from escaping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a shower tray with a low, level edge is used, then accessibility for people with disabilities and the elderly is improved, but the water level becomes too low to allow sitting in the shower tray with shoulders immersed in water
Solution Approach 1:
The bathing device is divided into two distinct functional areas: a shower area with a lowered entry level for accessibility and a bathtub area with higher edges for water retention. This segmentation allows the device to simultaneously provide easy access for disabled users while maintaining sufficient water depth for immersion bathing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a vertical dimension to the design by creating a stepped structure with different elevation levels. The shower area is positioned at a lower level while the bathtub area rises to a higher level, enabling both shallow water access and deep water immersion within the same device footprint.
2Quantity of substance
If a bathtub with a high edge is used, then water containment is improved, but accessibility for people with disabilities and the elderly deteriorates due to the need to climb over the high edge
Solution Approach 1:
The bathing device is divided into two distinct functional areas: a shower area with a lowered entry level for accessibility and a bathtub area with higher edges for water retention. This segmentation allows the device to simultaneously provide easy access for disabled users while maintaining sufficient water depth for immersion bathing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a vertical dimension to the design by creating a stepped structure with different elevation levels. The shower area is positioned at a lower level while the bathtub area rises to a higher level, enabling both shallow water access and deep water immersion within the same device footprint.
3Ease of operation
If a lowered entry area is provided without a locking system, then accessibility is improved, but water leakage occurs when the door is forgotten to be locked
Solution Approach 1:
The locking system is designed to automatically engage the door in the locked position before water is introduced into the bathtub. This preliminary action ensures that the door is securely closed before filling, preventing water leakage without requiring the user to remember to manually lock the door.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that detect whether the door is properly locked and provide feedback to the control system. This feedback mechanism ensures that the door is securely closed before allowing water to be introduced, and can alert users or automatically prevent filling if the door is not properly secured.
4Reliability
If an electromotive locking system with sensors is installed, then water containment reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking system is designed to automatically engage and disengage based on sensor detection of door position and water level. The system serves itself by using the door's own movement and the water level as triggers for locking and unlocking actions, minimizing the need for additional control mechanisms or user intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical locking mechanisms with an electromotive system controlled by sensors. This substitution uses electrical actuators and electronic sensing rather than intricate mechanical linkages, reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining or improving reliability through automated control.
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 system effectively prevents water leakage and ensures safe, accessible bathing by automatically locking the door when the tub is full, maintaining water containment and accommodating users with mobility issues.
Implementation Method 1
a first sensor (23) which detects an open/closed state of the door (4)
Implementation Method 2
a second sensor (32) which detects when a specific water level (36) is exceeded
Implementation Method 3
a siphon (17) with a closure device for the siphon (19)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Bathing or showering device has a bolting device (21) provided with a first sensor (23) that determines the condition of the bolting device. A controllable sealing device is added to the siphon. The first sensor controls the bolting device in such a manner that it closes the sealing device only after the condition of the bolting device is determined.