Contrast Therapy Tub Temperature Switching with Dual Water Reservoirs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional cold and hot plunge tubs for contrast therapy require significant time for temperature changes, reducing their therapeutic effectiveness due to slow transitions between water temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A system with hot and cold tempered water reservoirs, pumps, and valves for rapid temperature changes in a tub, utilizing continuous immersion or drain and fill modes, along with a control system for predefined or user-defined contrast therapy sessions, and an optional ecosystem of connected smart devices for personalized therapy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If traditional cold and hot plunge tubs are used for contrast therapy, then therapeutic purposes can be achieved, but significant time is required for temperature changes, reducing therapeutic effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-heats and pre-cools separate water reservoirs before they are needed for contrast therapy. This preliminary preparation of temperature-controlled water allows for rapid temperature changes in the tub without waiting for the water to heat or cool down, thus resolving the time loss issue while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate water reservoirs that act as mediators between the heat source/cold source and the tub. These reservoirs store pre-conditioned water and can quickly deliver temperature-changed water to the tub, enabling rapid temperature transitions without direct thermal contact with extreme temperature sources, thereby reducing transition time while preserving therapeutic value
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate hot and cold tubs are used for contrast therapy, then therapeutic value is maximized, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separate hot and cold water storage and delivery systems into a single integrated tub system. By merging the functionality of separate tubs into one unified system with multiple reservoirs that can be selectively connected to the tub, the system maintains contrast therapy capability while reducing overall device complexity and space requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The tub is designed with universal connectivity to multiple temperature-controlled reservoirs, allowing it to function with both hot and cold water sources through a single system architecture. This multi-functional design enables contrast therapy without requiring separate dedicated hot and cold tubs, thereby reducing system complexity while preserving therapeutic versatility
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
Enables rapid temperature changes in the tub, enhancing the therapeutic value by minimizing transition times and allowing personalized therapy sessions tailored to the user's condition.
Implementation Method 1
pumps for pumping water from the hot and cold tempered reservoirs to the tub
Implementation Method 2
a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the water in the tub and the water in the reservoir
Data Source
AI summary
A contrast therapy cold plunge tub is supplied by hot and cold tempered water reservoirs, and a series of pumps and valves that allow multiple temperature change cycles that rapidly vary the water temperature within the tub between ambient, hot and cold temperatures. One example operates in a continuous immersion mode, where the water temperature is rapidly changed while the tub remains full. A further example operates in a drain and fill mode, where the tub including water at a first temperature is rapidly drained and then refilled with water at a second, different temperature. The present technology further includes a session control software application allowing users to control their user experience.