Pedicure Chair Steam Circulation to Reduce Pipe System Complexity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pedicure chairs with moving water basins are expensive to build and maintain due to their complex pipe systems, which is a barrier to providing effective pedicure therapies.
Innovation Solution
A pedicure chair assembly with a steam distributor system that uses steam to heat and circulate water within a basin, featuring a steamer, steam controller, and temperature sensor to manage steam output and water temperature, reducing the need for complex plumbing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a pipe system is used to introduce water into and out of the chair's basin to provide moving water therapy, then the pedicure therapy effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity and maintenance cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the water circulation function from the complex pipe system and replaces it with a steam generator that introduces steam directly into the basin. This eliminates the need for intricate piping while maintaining water movement through evaporation and condensation cycles, thereby reducing device complexity while preserving therapy effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical pipe system with a thermal system using steam generation. Instead of mechanically pumping water through pipes, the system uses steam to heat and circulate water through phase change and convection, substituting a mechanical approach with a thermal one that achieves the same therapeutic effect with simpler components.
2Ease of operation
If a pipe system with moving water is implemented in the pedicure chair, then the therapeutic benefit of moving water is achieved, but the maintenance cost and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a steam generator with a removable water reservoir that can be easily refilled and replaced. This disposable-like approach allows users to simply replace the water container rather than maintaining complex piping systems, significantly reducing maintenance costs and operational complexity while preserving the moving water therapeutic effect through steam circulation.
3Device complexity
If steam is used to heat and circulate water in the basin instead of a pipe system, then the device complexity and maintenance cost are reduced, but the temperature control precision must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a temperature sensor and controller that form a feedback loop to monitor and regulate water temperature in the basin. The sensor continuously measures temperature and sends signals to the controller, which adjusts steam generation accordingly to maintain the desired temperature range, ensuring precise temperature control despite the simplified steam-based system.
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 solution provides an affordable and efficient method for delivering pedicure therapies by using steam to heat and circulate water, reducing maintenance costs and complexity while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
a steamer that pushes steam through a steamer outlet... the steam distributor distributes steam from the distributor inlet to the first distributor outlet into the cavity of the basin
Implementation Method 2
the steam distributor distributes steam from the distributor inlet to the first distributor outlet into the cavity of the basin... the steam distributor can comprise a second distributor outlet on an opposing side of the distributor
Data Source
AI summary
A pedicure chair with a basin for receiving a quantity of water therein. An autofill system can be incorporated with the basin to automatically manage spillover. The auto fill system can have a controller, a water supply valve, and a water level sensor. The water level sensor can be a proximity sensor attached externally of the basin. The water level sensor can send a signal to a controller when the water level sensor detects a predetermined water level in the basin. The controller is configured to shut off the water supply to the basin by sending a signal to actuate the water supply valve. A steamer can be used with the pedicure chair to provide heat and a therapeutic steam bath.