Sit-down bathing configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bathing devices require cumbersome and unsafe manual methods for transferring patients into and out of seated bathing units, as existing bathing chairs are not compatible with automated systems and pose safety risks due to the need for human effort and potential accidents.
Innovation Solution
A sit-down bathing configuration featuring a seated shower device with an open area under its sitting surface and a mobile bathing chair that can be wheeled in and out, equipped with a slot system, lever, rollers, and locking mechanisms for secure and easy user transport, ensuring compatibility with automated bathing devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a conventional bathing chair is used with an automated bathing device, then the automated bathing function can be provided, but the seat of the bathing device blocks the bathing chair and prevents proper positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The bathing chair is divided into a seat portion and a base portion. The seat portion is removable and can be detached from the base, allowing it to be positioned separately from the automated bathing device seat, thus avoiding blocking while maintaining automated bathing functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The removable seat is designed to be positioned in a different spatial relationship with the bathing device - either attached to the front of the device or placed on the floor in front of it, rather than being positioned directly on top of the device seat. This dimensional repositioning resolves the blocking issue
2Device complexity
If manual lifting method is used to transfer patient into bathing device, then no special equipment is needed, but it requires 2 or more people and poses safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
A transfer board is introduced as an intermediary device between the patient and the bathing device. The board provides a stable, extended surface that allows the patient to be safely transferred with the assistance of a single caregiver, reducing the risk associated with manual lifting while not requiring complex mechanical equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The transfer board is a simple, inexpensive, single-use or limited-use device that can be easily disposed of or replaced. It provides reliable safety for each transfer operation without requiring expensive, complex, or durable equipment
3Reliability
If hoist is used to transport bather into bathing device, then safe transfer is achieved, but it is large, expensive, and requires wide hallways
Solution Approach 1:
The complex hoist mechanism is extracted and replaced with a simple removable seat that can be easily attached and detached. This extraction eliminates the need for large, expensive, and space-consuming hoist equipment while maintaining safe transfer capabilities through the simplified seat design
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 efficient user transport into and out of bathing devices, reducing manual effort and accident risks while maintaining user dignity, by allowing the mobile bathing chair to be easily integrated with automated systems without obstructing water nozzles or compromising stability.
Implementation Method 1
said slot of the mobile bathing chair is blocked at its back opening by a lever that is pre-biased with a spring to a vertical position. whereupon such time that said sitting surface is fitted within said slot, the lever rotates to a more horizontal position to allow its insertion
Implementation Method 2
said seat of the bathing chair comprises rollers or wheels to reduce the friction during insertion of the sitting surface into said slot of the bathing chair
Implementation Method 3
said sitting surface of the seated shower device has a slope for lifting said seat of the bathing chair and causing it to tilt
Implementation Method 4
said mobile bathing chair comprises a lock for locking bathing chair to the seated shower device
Data Source
AI summary
A sit-down bathing configuration comprises includes: a seated shower device with an open area under its sitting surface, and a mobile bathing chair; wherein the seat of the mobile bathing chair can be fitted above the sitting surface of the seated shower device and the mobile bathing chair can be wheeled in and out of the shower device.