Compact Bottle Filling Station Layout for Sanitary Front Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drinking fountains are less frequently used due to germ transmission concerns, and integrated water bottle filling units are inaccessible and pose cleanliness issues, particularly for smaller individuals.
Innovation Solution
A compact water bottle filling station that can be retrofitted onto a wall-mounted drinking fountain, featuring a reduced lateral distance and hands-free operation, with a nozzle directing water downward for easy access and sanitation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an integrated water bottle filling unit is provided at the back of the drinking fountain, then water bottles can be filled in a sanitary manner, but accessibility becomes difficult especially for smaller framed individuals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional design by placing the bottle filling nozzle at the front of the station rather than at the back. This allows users to approach the station from the front, making it accessible to smaller individuals while maintaining sanitary filling capabilities through the inverted nozzle configuration that directs water away from the user's hands and face.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a lateral dimension to the design by extending the basin forward from the wall and positioning the nozzle at the front edge. This dimensional change creates a more accessible spatial arrangement where the filling operation occurs in front of the station rather than requiring users to reach over from behind, thus improving accessibility while maintaining sanitary conditions.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the nozzle is positioned high and at the back to enable sanitary filling, then germ transmission is reduced, but accessibility and ease of use deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional high-back nozzle positioning by placing the nozzle at the front of the station at a lower, more accessible height. The inverted configuration maintains sanitary filling by directing water flow away from the user's hands and face, while the front positioning and lower height significantly improve accessibility for all users.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by positioning the nozzle specifically at the front edge of the basin rather than uniformly at the back. This localized positioning creates a sanitary zone where water flows away from the user while the front location provides ergonomic accessibility, thus resolving the contradiction between germ transmission prevention and ease of operation.
3Area of stationary object
If a compact design is implemented to reduce lateral distance from the wall, then space utilization improves, but accessibility may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional deep-back basin design by creating a compact front-loaded configuration. The basin extends only slightly from the wall, and the nozzle is positioned at the front edge, creating a compact lateral footprint while maintaining accessibility because users approach from the front rather than reaching over from behind.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes space utilization by changing the spatial arrangement from a deep-back configuration to a compact front-loaded design. The basin and nozzle are positioned to minimize lateral distance from the wall while the front positioning ensures accessibility, thus resolving the contradiction between compact design and ease of operation through dimensional reorganization.
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
Enhances accessibility and sanitation for filling water bottles, reducing the need for traditional drinking fountains and minimizing exposure to germ transmission.
Implementation Method 1
a nozzle (58) provided in a backsplash (60) and configured to direct water downward from the nozzle toward the basin
Data Source
AI summary
A compact water bottle filling station for mounting to a wall. The station includes a frame supported on the wall by a wall hanger bracket and a basin supported by the frame. The basin includes a receiptacle located between a front lip and a rear edge of the basin, which define a lateral distance therebetween. A cover surrounds the frame on at least three sides and includes a pair of opposed side panels and a front panel located there between. The front panel extends upwardly from the base of the compact bottle filling station and terminates at and underneath the basin. A backsplash extends upward from the basin, adjacent the rear edge, and has a nozzle provided therein to direct water toward the basin.