Infant Bath Support With Flexible Mat and Anti-Topple Restraint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing baby bath supports often fail to securely attach to the bathtub due to their inability to adapt to varying shapes and sizes, leading to potential tipping and water submersion hazards.
Innovation Solution
A bath support system comprising a flexible non-slip mat securing component and a rigid support component, where the mat surrounds and overlaps the support to ensure secure positioning, with additional suction cups and a non-slip surface to prevent slipping, and a bulbous section with a T-bar to prevent forward toppling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If rigid support structures are used to provide stable support for the baby, then support stability is improved, but adaptability to different bath shapes and sizes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support device is divided into two distinct components: a rigid support structure (frame with seat, back, and restraint elements) and a flexible securing mat. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specialized function - the rigid frame provides structural stability while the flexible mat provides adaptability to different bath contours.
Solution Approach 2:
The securing mat is made of flexible material that can conform to the contours of different bathtub shapes and sizes. This flexible mat acts as an intermediary between the rigid support structure and the bath surface, allowing the rigid structure to maintain its shape while adapting to various bath geometries through the flexible mat's conformability.
2Reliability
If suction cups are used to secure the support to the bath base, then initial attachment is improved, but long-term reliability deteriorates as suction loses grip
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible securing mat serves as an intermediary between the rigid support structure and the bath surface. Instead of relying solely on suction cups to provide all securing force, the mat distributes the attachment across a larger surface area and provides continuous friction-based holding, supplementing the suction cups and maintaining reliability over longer periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines multiple attachment mechanisms - suction cups and friction-based flexible mat adherence - working together to secure the support structure. This combination compensates for the limitations of suction cups alone by providing redundant attachment methods that maintain grip over time.
3Reliability
If the support structure is made rigid to prevent baby movement, then safety is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in installation and adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the rigid support structure from the flexible securing system, the invention allows the rigid components to be pre-assembled for safety while the flexible mat can be easily adjusted and repositioned during installation to accommodate different bath shapes and user preferences.
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 system provides a secure and stable bathing environment by molding to the bathtub's shape and preventing slipping and forward toppling, enhancing safety and usability.
Implementation Method 1
the securing component is in the form of a flexible non-slip mat adapted to surround the support part and cover and overlap the base part
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of suction cups coupled to the front section and positioned within the cavity for releasably securing the apparatus to the bottom surface of the bathtub
Implementation Method 3
a non-slip surface on the other
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(d)
Figure 2(a)~2(d)
AI summary
A bath support (10) for a person (40), comprises a support component (14) having a base part (30) adapted to be sat upon by the person when the bath support is located in a bath, and a support part (32, 34) upstanding from the base part and adapted to limit movement of the person seated on the base part. A securing component (12) in the form of non-slip mat (16) surrounds the support component (14) and covers and overlaps its base part (30) so as to contact the bath and adhere thereto by means of suckers on its undersurface. The support parts (32, 34) pass through apertures (42, 44) in the mat (16).