Compact Lavatory with Movable Room Elements for Space Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sanitary facilities in mobile accommodations like caravans and motorhomes face challenges in optimizing space utilization without compromising comfort and functionality, particularly in combining toilet and shower areas within limited spaces.
Innovation Solution
A sanitary cubicle with two room elements, one of which is movable, allowing expansion by horizontally shifting like a drawer, increasing interior space by aligning side walls, and featuring guides, rollers, and seals for stable movement, enabling conversion between a compact toilet and a larger shower area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a compact sanitary cubicle is used to save space, then space utilization is improved, but the floor area available for showering is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the second room element (shower area) movable rather than fixed. This allows the shower area to be extended horizontally when needed for showering and retracted when not in use, transforming the sanitary cubicle from a static compact space to a dynamic space that can adapt its floor area based on functional requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the sanitary cubicle into two separate room elements: a first room element (toilet area) that remains fixed, and a second room element (shower area) that is movable. This segmentation allows independent control of each functional area, enabling the shower area to be extended or retracted without affecting the toilet area, thus resolving the contradiction between compact storage and adequate shower space.
2Ease of operation
If the shower area is extended to provide adequate showering space, then comfort is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements the nesting principle by placing the movable second room element (shower area) within or alongside the fixed first room element (toilet area). When retracted, the shower area nests within the overall cubicle structure, minimizing its footprint. When extended, it provides adequate showering space. This nesting approach allows the system to maintain comfort when needed while avoiding excessive complexity by using a straightforward telescopic or sliding mechanism rather than a complex transformable structure.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3a
Figure 3b~3c
AI summary
The invention relates to a compact sanitary cubicle (20), particularly for a vehicle. This cubicle comprises a first room element (22) and a second room element (24), at least one of which (22, 24) is movable in the horizontal direction such that a first walk-in space is formed in a first operating position and a second walk-in space is formed in a second operating position. The floor area of the second walk-in space in the second operating position exceeds the floor area of the first walk-in space in the first operating position.