Folding bathtub
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing folding bathtub structures are complex, requiring perforation, positioning, and bolting for assembly, leading to low production efficiency and potential water leakage due to gaps between components.
Innovation Solution
A folding bathtub design featuring a supporting ring with a soft upper folding part that connects and rotates the left and right ring parts, integrated with a tub body, using thermoplastic elastomer or silica gel for soft components and polypropylene or ABS for hard parts, allowing for simplified assembly and enhanced airtightness through integral forming and deformation mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the supporting ring is divided into two parts hinged together with perforation, positioning, and bolting, then the folding function is achieved, but the structure becomes complicated and production efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the left ring part, right ring part, and upper folding part into an integrally formed supporting ring structure. This eliminates the need for separate components connected by hinges, perforations, and bolts, thereby simplifying the overall structure while maintaining the folding function. The integral structure reduces the number of parts and assembly steps without compromising the ability to fold between extended and retracted positions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the supporting ring is divided into multiple parts with perforation, positioning, and bolting, then the folding mechanism is achieved, but the mounting becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting ring is designed as an integral structure where the left ring part, right ring part, and upper folding part are formed as a single piece. This eliminates the need for separate mounting operations such as perforation, positioning, and bolting that would be required if these were separate components. The folding mechanism is achieved through the integral design itself, significantly simplifying the mounting process.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the supporting ring is divided into multiple parts, then the folding function is achieved, but the production efficiency becomes low
Solution Approach 1:
By forming the left ring part, right ring part, and upper folding part as a single integral supporting ring, the patent eliminates multiple manufacturing and assembly steps. This integral structure can be produced in fewer steps with higher efficiency compared to assembling multiple separate parts. The folding function is fully maintained while production efficiency is significantly improved due to reduced manufacturing complexity and assembly operations.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the supporting ring and tub body are separately assembled, then the folding function is achieved, but gaps may form causing water leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting ring is designed as an integral structure where the left ring part, right ring part, and upper folding part are formed as one continuous piece. This eliminates gaps and joints between these components that would otherwise exist if they were separately assembled. The integral design ensures continuous structural integrity and prevents water leakage paths, while the folding function is achieved through the engineered geometry of the integral structure itself.
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
The design simplifies assembly, increases production efficiency, reduces water leakage by minimizing gaps, and allows for compact storage due to multi-fold capability and improved structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
the upper folding part is made of a soft material; the supporting ring achieves rotatable folding between the left ring part and the right ring part by means of deformation of the upper folding part
Implementation Method 2
the lower folding part is made of a soft material; and the upper folding part deforms to drive the lower folding part to deform, which achieves folding between the left tub body and the right tub body
Implementation Method 3
the left extensible part and the right extensible part are both made of a soft material; and extensible folding up and down between the supporting ring and the tub body is achieved through the deformations of the left extensible part and the right extensible part as well as the lower folding part
Data Source
AI summary
A folding bathtub includes a tub body; and a supporting ring. The supporting ring is arranged on the tub body. The supporting ring comprises a left ring part, a right ring part and an upper folding part, the left ring part and the right ring part are respectively arranged on two sides of an upper end of the tub body, and the upper folding part is arranged between the left ring part and the right ring part. The upper folding part is made of a soft material. The supporting ring achieves rotatable folding between the left ring part and the right ring part by means of deformation of the upper folding part, and the supporting ring is folded to drive the tub body to deform and be folded.