System and method for mechanical bath mat
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shower mats made of fibers become dirty, smelly, and mildewed, requiring frequent replacement and lack eco-friendly and durable alternatives for collecting and redirecting water from bathtubs and showers.
Innovation Solution
A mechanical bath mat with a basin, grate, drainage system, pump, sensors, control system, and support columns that collects water and directs it back into the bathtub or drainage system, featuring a rechargeable battery-operated or wired power system with a backup battery, and customizable rubber and mesh design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fabric shower mat is used to collect water, then water collection is achieved, but the mat becomes dirty, smelly, and mildewed requiring frequent replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the water collection function from the fabric mat itself and separates it into a dedicated basin with drainage system. The mat surface becomes merely a walkway while the basin below handles water collection, preventing the mat material from retaining moisture and developing mildew.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary drainage system with a basin, pump, and tubing as a mediator between the mat surface and the floor. This intermediary system captures and removes water before it can cause the mat to become dirty or mildewed, extending the mat's lifespan.
2Reliability
If a fabric shower mat is used to collect water, then water collection is achieved, but frequent replacement is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the water collection function from the fabric mat and places it in a separate basin system, allowing the mat to remain dry and clean for extended periods. The mat no longer needs to be replaced frequently as it doesn't retain water that causes degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The drainage system operates automatically with a pump that activates when the basin reaches a certain water level, continuously self-managing water removal without user intervention. This maintains a clean state between uses, extending the mat's usable life.
3Loss of substance
If a mechanical bath mat with pump and control system is installed, then water recirculation and eco-friendliness are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the basin to serve multiple functions: it acts as a structural support element, a water collection reservoir, and a component of the drainage system. The pump system similarly handles both drainage and optional recirculation functions, reducing the need for separate dedicated components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates automatic sensors that detect water levels and trigger the pump only when needed, eliminating the need for continuous operation or complex manual controls. The backup battery automatically engages when power is unavailable, providing fail-safe operation without user intervention.
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 mechanical bath mat effectively collects and recirculates water, reducing waste and maintenance needs, while being durable and eco-friendly, with customizable options for user preference.
Implementation Method 1
the basin has a four ended inclined grading inclined towards a drainage hole in a center of the basin that channels the one or more fluids
Implementation Method 2
a pump that receives the one or more fluids from the drainage hole, one or more tubes connected to the pump
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for a mechanical shower mat with a removable rechargeable battery-operated system with a drainage hose or a fixed system submerged into the bathroom floor that is wired directly into a power source, with a drainage hose that will drain directly into the drainage system of the shower/hot tub/bathtub allowing its users to collect the residual water from their bodies as the step out of the shower/hot tub/bathtub etc. onto the mechanical shower mat directly into a funnel system that will re-dispense this water back into the shower/hot tub/bathtub etc. or directly onto the shower's drainage system.