Foldable bath tub
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional foldable bathtubs for infants and toddlers are cumbersome for storage and do not accommodate the changing bathing positions of children as they grow, as they lack adjustable seating configurations and efficient drainage systems.
Innovation Solution
A foldable bathtub design featuring a base, rim, and basin wall with circumferential creases allowing for folding and extension, incorporating a crotch support with drain holes and a drain plug system for easy drainage, and adjustable backrests to accommodate reclined or upright positions, along with supports for stable positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a foldable bathtub is designed with a flexible basin wall and foldable supporting frame, then storage space is reduced and portability is improved, but the tub becomes cumbersome for storage and difficult to position stably
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting frame is divided into multiple legs that can be independently positioned and adjusted. Each leg can be selectively positioned to engage with the basin wall at different locations, allowing the frame to be segmented and reconfigured for stable positioning while maintaining compact storage when folded.
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting frame incorporates movable and adjustable elements that allow it to transition between a compact folded state for storage and an extended stable configuration for use. The legs can be dynamically positioned and locked into place to provide stability during bathing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the bathtub is designed to accommodate both reclined infant positions and upright toddler positions, then versatility is improved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bathtub is designed with a universal supporting frame that can accommodate multiple bathing positions and age groups. The adjustable legs and positioning mechanisms allow the same tub structure to support both reclined infant positions and upright toddler positions, eliminating the need for separate tubs for different developmental stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The tub incorporates adjustable parameters such as leg positions, basin wall angles, and support heights that can be modified to create different bathing configurations. These parameter changes allow the tub to adapt to various child sizes and bathing positions without requiring structural redesign.
3Productivity
If drainage holes are provided in the crotch support, then drainage functionality is improved, but the risk of child injury from trapped limbs increases
Solution Approach 1:
A cover element is introduced as an intermediary component that can be selectively placed over the drainage holes in the crotch support. This cover prevents child limbs from becoming trapped in the drainage holes while still allowing water to drain through when the cover is properly positioned, thus eliminating the injury risk while maintaining drainage functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The design incorporates a safety cover that can be positioned beforehand to protect against the harmful effect of trapped limbs. The cover acts as a preventive measure that is in place before any potential injury could occur, allowing safe drainage without exposing the child to danger.
Data Source
AI summary
A foldable bath tub includes a base, a rim, and a basin wall disposed between and interconnecting the base and the rim. The bottom wall has an upwardly extending crotch support. The basin wall includes at least one crease. The basin wall is configured to be positioned in one of a folded condition in which the basin wall is folded into itself at the at least one crease an extended condition in which the basin wall is configured to receive an associated child. Where in the extended condition of the basin wall a distance from the base to the at least one crease increases along a length direction of the bath tub from a first end of the bath tub to a second end of the bath tub.