Collapsible Reservoir With Segmented Hinged Steps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing collapsible reservoirs for trans-anal irrigation (TAI) devices face issues such as incomplete collapse, high force requirement for collapse, instability during expansion and collapse, and buckling, which affect their functionality and usability, especially for users with limited dexterity.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible and expandable reservoir with a flexible, corrugated or bellows-like construction formed by three nested steps, each comprising a riser and tread pivotably connected at external and internal hinges, allowing for full expansion and collapse without snapping back and minimizing the force required, manufactured in the collapsed position using compression molding for reduced production costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the reservoir is made collapsible for compact storage, then the storage volume is reduced, but the reservoir may fail to collapse completely or require excessive force to collapse
Solution Approach 1:
The reservoir wall is segmented into multiple rigid panels connected by hinges, allowing the structure to fold into a compact configuration for storage while maintaining structural integrity during expansion and collapse operations
Solution Approach 2:
The reservoir transitions between static expanded and collapsed states through dynamic hinge movement, enabling full collapse without residual expansion while reducing the force required compared to purely flexible designs
2Adaptability or versatility
If the reservoir uses a flexible wall construction, then the device can expand and collapse, but buckling occurs during collapse
Solution Approach 1:
The reservoir employs a flexible shell construction that maintains structural stability through its geometric configuration rather than material thickness, allowing expansion and collapse without buckling
Solution Approach 2:
The bellows-like corrugated structure with curved surfaces distributes stresses evenly during expansion and collapse, preventing localized buckling that would occur in flat-walled designs
3Volume of moving object
If the reservoir is designed to collapse fully for compact storage, then the storage efficiency improves, but the reservoir may snap back or fail to remain collapsed
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented rigid panel construction with hinge connections allows the reservoir to settle into stable collapsed and expanded positions without snapping back, as each panel maintains its structural form
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge design incorporates features that prevent over-compression and snapping back, ensuring the reservoir remains stable in the collapsed position without requiring additional restraint mechanisms
4Strength
If the reservoir uses thicker wall segments for structural integrity, then strength is improved, but buckling and incomplete collapse occur
Solution Approach 1:
The wall is divided into thinner rigid panels that maintain structural strength through their geometric configuration rather than thickness, allowing complete collapse without the buckling that occurs in thicker-walled designs
Solution Approach 2:
The reservoir combines rigid panel segments with flexible hinge connections to create a composite structure that maintains strength during operation while enabling complete collapse for compact storage
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 reservoir effectively expands and collapses fully, remains stable in both positions, and reduces the force needed for operation, ensuring proper nesting and ease of use without buckling, enhancing usability for users with limited dexterity.
Implementation Method 1
Each step comprises a riser and a tread which are pivotably connected to one another at an external hinge. The lower and middle steps in turn are pivotably connected to one another at a first internal hinge.
Data Source
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AI summary
A collapsible liquid reservoir has a flexible side wall having a lower step, a middle step and an upper step. Each of the steps includes a riser segment and a tread segment. The riser and tread segments are pivotably connected to one another at an external hinge. When the step is collapsed its segments define an acute step angle between them of about 23°. When the step is expanded its segments define an obtuse step angle between them of about 115°. The tread of at least one step is pivotably connected to the riser of an adjacent step at an internal hinge. The step segments joined to the internal hinge are symmetrical about a bisector of that hinge. The reservoir has a truncated pyramid shape defined by a generally square base and four trapezoidal side panels joined to one another at corners.