Powered Foot Scrubber With Recessed Housing for Wet-Use Stability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foot scrubbing devices are difficult to use in wet environments, especially for individuals with mobility limitations or disabilities, as they require balancing and significant physical exertion, and often lack portability and effective access to all areas of the foot.
Innovation Solution
A portable, waterproof powered scrubbing device with a recessed housing and rotating scrubber member, powered by an electric motor and battery, allowing for easy access and control of the scrubbing direction, and equipped with suction cups for stability in wet environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a stationary brush device is used in a wet environment, then the device structure is simple, but the user must balance on one foot which creates safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The brush is made rotatable rather than stationary, allowing it to rotate in response to foot insertion and removal. This dynamic element eliminates the need for the user to manually move their foot back and forth, thereby removing the balancing requirement while maintaining simple device structure
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses the user's own foot insertion and removal actions to automatically rotate the brush through cam mechanisms. The system serves itself by converting the user's natural movements into brush rotation, eliminating the need for additional manual operations or complex control systems
2Device complexity
If manual foot movement is required to operate the brush, then the device structure is simple, but significant physical exertion is required making it difficult for persons with disabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The brush transitions from stationary to rotatable, automatically rotating when the user inserts or removes their foot. This eliminates the need for the user to perform repetitive manual scrubbing motions, significantly reducing physical exertion while keeping the device structure simple
Solution Approach 2:
The cam mechanisms convert the user's foot insertion and removal motions into brush rotation automatically. The system performs the scrubbing action itself in response to the user's natural movements, making operation easy for persons with limited physical capacity
3Ease of manufacture
If the brush is stationary and foot movement is manual, then the device is simple to manufacture, but it is difficult to reach the feet for cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable brush automatically rotates when the user inserts their foot into the recess. This eliminates the need for the user to manually move their foot back and forth across the brush, making the device accessible to users who cannot easily reach or manipulate their feet
Solution Approach 2:
The cam mechanisms automatically convert foot insertion into brush rotation, performing the scrubbing action without requiring the user to manually manipulate their foot. This makes the device accessible to persons with mobility limitations or disabilities
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 safe and effective cleaning and exfoliation of feet without the need for balancing, providing accessible scrubbing of both sole and upper surfaces, suitable for use in wet environments and by individuals with limited mobility.
Implementation Method 1
an electric motor disposed within the housing and coupled to the scrubber member
Implementation Method 2
a battery disposed within the housing and coupled to the motor
Data Source
AI summary
A powered scrubbing device includes a portable housing, a source of motive power, and a scrubber member. The source of motive power is coupled to the scrubber member, and the scrubber member is journaled for rotation within a recess of the housing. The recess is sized to accommodate a foot of a user below the scrubber member, and the recess is sized to permit access to an upper surface of the scrubber member.