Combination commode and chair
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable toilets lack design variability and aesthetic appeal, often stigmatized and primarily used in healthcare settings, failing to provide ergonomic comfort and compatibility with traditional toilet fixtures.
Innovation Solution
A commode designed to be ergonomically comfortable, aesthetically enhanced, and adaptable to both elongated and round toilet fixtures, featuring a seat with adjustable height, rotatable armrests, and a splash guard or bucket, allowing for integration with or independent use from toilet fixtures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If commodes are designed for basic functionality in healthcare settings, then they are simple and easy to manufacture, but they lack aesthetic appeal and design variability
Solution Approach 1:
The commode is divided into separate functional modules: a toilet seat assembly that can be detached and replaced, a commode pan section, and a base structure. This segmentation allows different aesthetic designs for each module while maintaining simple manufacturing of individual components, resolving the contradiction between design variability and ease of manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The commode is designed with universal interfaces that allow it to function both as a traditional commode and as an accessory for standard toilet fixtures. The seat assembly can be configured for different toilet types (elongated or round), providing design variability without requiring completely different manufacturing processes for each configuration.
2Ease of operation
If commodes are designed with fixed geometry, then they are simple in structure, but they cannot provide ergonomic comfort for different users
Solution Approach 1:
The commode incorporates adjustable components including height-adjustable legs with multiple position settings and a rotatable armrest that can be positioned at different angles. These dynamic elements allow users to customize the commode to their ergonomic needs while maintaining relatively simple structural designs through the use of adjustment mechanisms rather than completely complex structures.
3Adaptability or versatility
If commodes are designed to work with specific toilet fixtures, then they provide good compatibility, but they lack adaptability to different fixture types
Solution Approach 1:
The commode features a universal mounting system with adjustable brackets and positioning mechanisms that accommodate both elongated and round toilet fixtures. The seat assembly can be configured to fit different fixture types without requiring completely different designs, achieving broad compatibility while avoiding the complexity of multiple specialized designs.
4Adaptability or versatility
If armrests are fixed in position, then the structure is simple and stable, but they cannot adapt to different user needs and movements
Solution Approach 1:
The armrest is designed with rotational capability around the leg assembly, allowing it to move between a forward position for user support and a retracted position that clears the user's path. This dynamic feature provides adaptability to different user needs and movements while maintaining relatively simple mechanics through a single rotation point rather than complex multi-axis mechanisms.
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 commode offers improved user comfort and aesthetic appeal, enhancing usability in residential settings while maintaining functionality and compatibility with various toilet fixtures, reducing stigma associated with its use.
Implementation Method 1
an armrest configured to at least partially rotate about the seat base and the leg assembly
Implementation Method 2
the leg assembly is configured to adjust a height of the seat base
Data Source
AI summary
An illustrative commode is described to include a seat having an opening therein, a seat base connected with the seat and configured to allow the seat to move between an open position and a closed position, a leg assembly configured to support the seat base, where the leg assembly is configured to adjust a height of the seat base, and an armrest configured to at least partially rotate about the seat base and the leg assembly.