Collapsible Infant Bath Receptacle With Central Hinge Storage Fold
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bathing solutions for infants are inadequate as they often require caregivers to manually support the child, are difficult to store, and pose risks due to slippery surfaces and awkward angles, leading to musculoskeletal injuries and safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible bathing receptacle made of resilient, pliable material that collapses inwardly to form a compact shape for storage and features a concave inner surface for supporting the infant, with a hinge mechanism allowing it to fold into a stowable configuration, providing a secure and stable bathing environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a molded plastic bathtub is used to support the baby, then the baby's safety and comfort are improved, but the device becomes difficult to store when not in use, consuming substantial space
Solution Approach 1:
The bathtub is designed with collapsible sides that can transition from an expanded bathing configuration to a collapsed storage configuration. The sides are constructed with flexible yet supportive materials that maintain structural integrity when expanded for use, then can be folded inward to reduce volume for storage, directly resolving the contradiction between providing safe support and minimizing storage space.
Solution Approach 2:
The bathtub structure is divided into separate collapsible side panels that can be independently folded. Each side is constructed with segmented components connected by hinges or flexible joints, allowing the tub to be collapsed into a compact form factor that fits standard storage spaces while maintaining full functionality when expanded for bathing.
2Strength
If rigid materials are used for the bathtub, then the structural strength is improved, but the surface becomes slippery when wet, requiring manual support of the baby
Solution Approach 1:
The bathtub employs composite construction combining rigid structural components for strength with non-slip surface materials. The interior surface is covered with textured, grippable material such as rubberized coating or raised patterns that maintain traction when wet, while the underlying rigid structure provides necessary structural support without creating slippery surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the bathtub have different material properties optimized for their specific functions. The structural walls use rigid materials for strength, while the baby-contact surfaces use non-slip materials for safety. This localized differentiation allows the tub to simultaneously achieve structural strength and non-slip properties without compromising either requirement.
3Volume of moving object
If a collapsible miniature bathtub is used to reduce storage space, then the storage efficiency is improved, but the caregiver must bend over and lift the baby at awkward angles, presenting risks for musculoskeletal injuries
Solution Approach 1:
The collapsible bathtub is designed with ergonomic features including raised sides and a configuration that allows the caregiver to maintain a neutral, upright posture during baby transfer and bathing. The tub's geometry and height are optimized so that the caregiver does not need to bend excessively or lift at awkward angles, reducing musculoskeletal strain while preserving compact storage capabilities.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the bathtub is designed to fit in a sink, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases with hinge mechanisms for collapsing
Solution Approach 1:
The collapsible sides of the bathtub are constructed from flexible yet supportive materials that can be folded and collapsed without complex mechanical hinges. The flexibility of the side materials allows them to bend and fold naturally into a compact configuration, achieving the collapsing function through material properties rather than complex mechanical joint systems, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining sink-fitting adaptability.
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 offers a safe, secure, and space-efficient bathing solution that reduces the risk of musculoskeletal injuries for caregivers and enhances infant safety by providing a stable and comfortable bathing experience with reduced storage requirements.
Implementation Method 1
A collapsible bathing receptacle made of resilient, pliable material that collapses inwardly to form a compact shape for storage
Data Source
AI summary
A bilaterally collapsible bathing receptacle, includes a contiguous expanse of a resilient plastic material having a first concavely curved surface and an opposing convexly curved surface; and a first hinge extending from a first end to an opposing second end of the expanse, wherein the first hinge longitudinally bisects the expanse and defines opposing longitudinal bilateral halves thereof, and the expanse is configured to assume an open, bowl-like configuration in a relaxed state, and when inwardly compressed laterally, flexes along the first hinge and places the respective first surfaces of the opposing bilateral halves into confrontation with one another. The expanse may possess a generally uniform thickness throughout excepting the first hinge. The first surface of the expanse may be less concavely curved at a central region aligned with the first hinge than at a lateral region lying outwardly relative to the central region.