Bathtub Heated Wall Envelope for Curved Surface Heat Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bathtub heating systems are costly, non-adaptable to curved surfaces, prone to damage during transport and installation, and provide uneven heat distribution, making them difficult to repair and maintain.
Innovation Solution
A comfort bathtub with integrated composite pliable heat generating envelopes containing a heated mesh sandwiched between protection film sheets, connected to a power supply and temperature control system for even heating of discrete wall portions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If electrical resistive elements are secured to the external surface under the bathtub, then heating function is provided, but they are costly, non-adaptable to curved surfaces, and provide uneven heat distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible heating membrane with resistive heating elements embedded in a thin, pliable substrate that can conform to curved and molded bathtub surfaces. This flexible membrane allows even heat distribution across complex geometries while maintaining adaptability to different wall portions including curved areas where traditional rigid heating elements would fail.
2Temperature
If electrical resistive elements are secured to the external surface, then heating function is provided, but they get damaged during transport and installation and are difficult to repair
Solution Approach 1:
The heating membrane is integrated directly into the bathtub structure during manufacturing, merging the heating element with the bathtub wall itself. This integration protects the heating elements from damage during transport and installation, eliminates the need for separate protective coverings, and makes the heating system as durable as the bathtub structure itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The resistive heating elements are embedded within layers of the flexible membrane and integrated into the bathtub wall structure, nesting the heating components within protective structural layers. This nesting provides mechanical protection during handling and installation while maintaining the heating function.
3Temperature
If electrical resistive elements are used for heating, then heating function is provided, but they provide uneven heat distribution throughout the covered area
Solution Approach 1:
The heating membrane incorporates multiple heating zones with varying densities of resistive elements to provide locally optimized heat distribution. Different areas of the membrane can have different heating characteristics to ensure even temperature distribution across the entire covered surface, addressing the uneven heating problem of traditional elements.
4Temperature
If heating devices are installed under the bathtub, then heating function is provided, but limited access makes them difficult to repair
Solution Approach 1:
The heating membrane is integrated into the bathtub wall structure rather than being installed separately underneath, merging the heating system with the bathtub itself. This integration eliminates the need for separate access spaces and makes the heating elements as accessible as the bathtub surface they are part of.
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 provides efficient, even heat distribution to curved surfaces, reduces maintenance costs, and enhances user comfort by integrating heat generating envelopes within the bathtub's molded material, ensuring durability and adaptability.
Implementation Method 1
A composite pliable heat generating envelope is integrated in the wall portion... The heat generating envelope has a heated mesh sandwiched between a pair of protection film sheets... The composite pliable envelope has electrical connections secured to a power supply
Data Source
AI summary
A comfort bathtub has at least one heated wall portion which is comprised by a composite pliable heat generating envelope integrated with the wall portion. The heat generating envelope has a heated mesh sandwiched between a pair of protection film sheets bonded together about the heated mesh to isolate the heated mesh from molded material of the bathtub. The composite pliable envelope has electrical connections secured to a power supply. A temperature sensor is in communication with the envelope for sensing the temperature thereof. A voltage regulator controls the power supply through a control circuit to regulate the heat generated by the heated mesh. The composite pliable envelope is configured to heat a discrete wall portion of the bathtub to provide a discrete external heated surface of the bathtub.