Collapsible toilet seating assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Restrooms often lack conveniently available sanitary toilet options, and existing solutions like paper toilet seat covers are ineffective against bacteria and dampness, failing to provide a suitable and hygienic seating experience.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible and expandable seating assembly with a telescopically adjustable frame, independently telescoping legs, and a foldable seating surface that can be converted between a compact transportable mode and an expanded mode suitable for various toilet types or as a toilet-like seating solution, featuring a carrying handle that doubles as a backrest and shield.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If paper toilet seat covers are used, then they provide a barrier to direct contact with toilet surfaces, but they are porous and do not effectively block bacteria or dampness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a disposable plastic sheet material that is non-porous and impermeable to bacteria and dampness. Unlike reusable covers, this single-use material ensures hygiene without the contamination risks of reuse, while being cost-effective and convenient for travelers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a flexible plastic sheet that forms a continuous, non-porous barrier between the user and toilet surfaces. This thin film material provides reliable protection against bacteria and dampness while remaining flexible enough to conform to various toilet seat shapes and sizes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed-size toilet seat cover is used, then it can be manufactured and stored easily, but it cannot adapt to different toilet types and sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a telescopic frame with adjustable legs that can be extended or retracted to match different toilet dimensions. This dynamic structure allows the same cover to adapt to various toilet types (standard, compact, public restroom) without requiring multiple sizes, while the adjustment mechanism remains relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame is divided into multiple telescopic sections and adjustable legs that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows precise adaptation to different toilet sizes and shapes while keeping each individual component simple and easy to manufacture.
3Ease of operation
If a collapsible frame structure is used, then the assembly becomes portable and storable, but it reduces structural stability during use
Solution Approach 1:
The frame transitions from a collapsed portable state to an expanded stable state during use. The telescopic sections and adjustable legs provide structural rigidity when extended and properly positioned, while remaining compact for transport and storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame includes pre-positioned cross braces and support structures that are folded into the compact frame during transport but automatically deploy or can be easily positioned when the frame is expanded, providing immediate structural stability during use.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the seating surface is made from non-porous material, then it provides better hygiene protection, but it becomes more difficult to clean and maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The seating surface uses a disposable plastic sheet that provides superior hygiene protection as a single-use barrier. After one use, it is discarded rather than cleaned, eliminating maintenance requirements while ensuring consistent hygiene protection with each use.
Data Source
AI summary
A collapsible seating assembly including a bi-directionally expandable support frame, a carrying handle, a collapsible backrest/shield, height-adjustable legs, and a collapsible seating surface. The seating surface can make available via a through-opening an underlying toilet bowl, a toilet opening or a collection bag. Components of the assembly are collapsible and expandable such that the assembly can be converted by a user between a compact transportable mode and an expanded deployed mode.