Bath for small spaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sanitary facilities in small spaces like mobile homes, aircraft, and tiny houses face issues with damp surfaces after shower use, limited space utilization, and simultaneous use by multiple users, particularly in designs with combined shower and toilet areas.
Innovation Solution
A sanitary device with a closable opening in the shower wall allows a bed area to extend into the shower space, using flexible or rigid panels to cover damp walls and separate shower and bed areas, ensuring no contact with damp surfaces and optimizing space usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If shower curtains or movable partitions are installed to prevent the entire sanitary room from becoming damp, then the spread of moisture is reduced, but the shower tray and walls remain wet requiring drying time
Solution Approach 1:
The sanitary facility is segmented into distinct functional zones: a shower area with tray and walls, a toilet area, and a bed area. The closable opening with panel allows selective separation of these zones, enabling the shower area to be isolated during showering while allowing other areas to remain dry and usable.
Solution Approach 2:
A closable panel is introduced as an intermediary element that can be positioned to close the opening between the shower area and bed area. This panel acts as a barrier that prevents moisture migration while allowing the shower area to be accessed and used independently.
2Area of stationary object
If a combined shower and toilet facility is used to save space, then space utilization is improved, but multiple users cannot use the facility simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The combined sanitary facility is segmented into functionally independent zones (shower area, toilet area, bed area) that can be accessed and used separately through the closable opening, enabling multiple users to utilize different functions simultaneously within the same compact space.
Solution Approach 2:
The closable opening with movable panel provides dynamic flexibility to the space configuration. The panel can be opened to allow access to the shower area from the bed area while the toilet area remains accessible from the exterior, enabling adaptable simultaneous use by multiple users.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a shower tray is installed in the sanitary facility, then showering function is provided, but the space required is greater than for a toilet alone
Solution Approach 1:
The shower area is merged with the bed area through the closable opening, allowing the shower tray to be positioned such that it shares space with the bed area when the panel is closed. This integration enables shower functionality without requiring a completely separate dedicated shower room.
Solution Approach 2:
The spatial relationship between the shower area and bed area is made dynamic through the closable panel. When the panel is closed, the shower area is isolated and can be used for showering; when opened, the bed area extends into the shower area, maximizing space utilization for different functions at different times.
4Area of stationary object
If the bed area extends into the shower area to maximize space usage, then space utilization is improved, but contact with damp shower walls cannot be avoided
Solution Approach 1:
The bed area and shower area are segmented by the closable panel, which when closed, creates a physical barrier that prevents contact between the user and damp shower walls. This segmentation allows the bed area to extend into the shower area while maintaining protection from moisture through the panel barrier.
Solution Approach 2:
The closable panel serves as an intermediary barrier between the bed area and shower area. When closed, it prevents direct contact between the user in the bed area and the damp shower walls, while still allowing the bed area to occupy the same physical space as the shower area.
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 2a
AI summary
The invention relates to a sanitary installation in small spaces, particularly in motorhomes, airplanes, yachts, or tiny houses, with at least one shower room and an adjacent sleeping area (bed), wherein, when the shower area is not in use for the bed, a part extending the adjacent sleeping area is inserted into the shower area, particularly by insertion, folding, pivoting, or the like, or the adjacent sleeping area is moved into the shower area, so that the entire required bed area is available, and wherein the toilet area is directly adjacent to the shower room and access to the shower area is via the toilet area, wherein the shower room has a closable opening in the shower wall at least in the direction of the bed area, the height of which is to be at least such asthat, in addition to the height of the lying surface, the necessary freedom of movement for the body part of the person lying on it is given, and wherein the opening in the horizontal cross-section is L-shaped, corner-shaped, semicircular, or elliptical.