Inflatable Shower Base
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shower devices for camping are makeshift and lack a stable base, leading to messy and unsafe showering experiences, with potential for injury and environmental contamination from greywater runoff.
Innovation Solution
An inflatable shower base with a support platform and reservoir that captures and recirculates greywater, featuring a drain system and pegs for stability, allowing easy setup and safe use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If makeshift shower devices are used without a base, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the stability and safety of showering deteriorates causing users to stand in mud or dirty water and risk slipping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an inflatable base made from flexible material that can be inflated to create a stable, contained structure for showering. The inflatable nature allows it to be easily stored and transported while providing a solid, level surface when deployed, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and stability.
2Ease of operation
If makeshift shower devices without a base are used, then the ease of operation is improved, but harmful factors increase as greywater runoff contaminates the environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and contains the greywater runoff within the inflatable base structure, separating it from the environment. The base acts as a containment system that collects and holds the contaminated water, preventing it from entering waterways while maintaining operational simplicity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If an inflatable base with reservoir is added to capture greywater, then environmental protection is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inflatable base serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides a stable standing surface for the user, contains and collects greywater runoff in its reservoir, and prevents environmental contamination. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
With the popularity of camping and related outdoor activities, there is an ongoing need to provide access to more modern conveniences not traditionally associated with camping, especially in remote areas. Such conveniences include providing shower facilities, especially in remote areas where access to a supply of water and associated plumbing is not possible. In such areas, a variety of showering apparatus have been proposed to enable individuals to construct or otherwise assemble their own shower facilities at their camping site. Such showering apparatus are typically carried by the user in their vehicle and assembled as required, using water supplied by the individual or from a nearby water source.