Hinged Bathtub Closure With Step Access and Watertight Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional bathtubs pose a barrier for individuals with mobility issues due to their high sidewalls, making it difficult to access and exit safely, and existing solutions either require costly renovations or compromise on water retention.
Innovation Solution
A bathtub closure system featuring a hinged plug and modular step system that allows for easy access and water retention, with a removable barrier that can transition between open and closed positions, secured by friction fit or fasteners, and can be retrofitted or molded as a single component.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional bathtub with high sidewalls is used, then water retention is maintained, but accessibility for users with mobility issues deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The bathtub sidewall is segmented into a fixed portion and a removable insert portion. The insert creates an accessible opening while the fixed portion maintains water retention, allowing both accessibility and water containment to coexist through spatial division of functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The problematic high sidewall portion is extracted and replaced with a removable insert that has a lower profile. This extracted portion can be removed when accessibility is needed while being replaceable to restore full water retention when required.
2Ease of operation
If the bathtub is removed and replaced with a shower system, then accessibility is improved, but cost and complexity of renovation increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of permanently replacing the bathtub with an expensive shower system, a simple removable insert is used that can be easily installed and removed without professional renovation, providing a low-cost temporary solution for accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The sidewall height parameter is changed locally through the removable insert rather than changing the entire bathtub structure. This allows accessibility improvement through a simple parameter modification rather than complete system replacement.
3Ease of operation
If a removable insert is installed to improve accessibility, then ease of access is improved, but water retention capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The insert is designed to be dynamically removable and reinsertable, allowing the system to switch between two states: accessible (insert removed) and water-retaining (insert in place). This dynamic capability resolves the contradiction by making the solution adaptive to different needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The removable insert serves multiple functions: it maintains water retention when installed, provides accessibility when removed, and can be easily stored when not in use. This multi-functionality allows a single component to address both accessibility and water retention requirements.
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
Facilitates safe and easy ingress and egress while maintaining water level, accommodating various user needs and storage considerations, and can be easily converted between shower and tub usage.
Implementation Method 1
secured by friction fit or fasteners
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments described herein include a bathtub closure system having a step, the step having a first side panel, a second side panel, and an elongated platform defining a cavity, where the cavity can be configured to facilitate ingress and egress into a bathtub. The bathtub closure system can include a hinged closure, where the closure can be coupled with the step and can cooperate with the step to form a substantially watertight seal when the closure is in a closed position.