Pet Bath Tub with Movable Bottom Plate for Efficient Drainage

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for a pet bath tub that effectively drains water, cleans the tub, and allows for convenient washing and drying of pets, while also sterilizing and grooming them efficiently.

Innovation Solution

A pet bath tub design featuring a tub with a faucet for water supply, air jets for cleaning and drying, a sterilizer using UV LEDs, and a filter assembly for draining, which includes a bubble generator, air compressor, and a motorized bottom plate for efficient water drainage and tub cleaning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a motorized bottom plate is used for water drainage, then water drainage efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater drainage efficiencyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bottom plate is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to tilt and create water flow paths. The motorized actuation enables dynamic control of water drainage, transforming a static structure into an active component that improves drainage efficiency without requiring complex pump systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The bottom plate structure utilizes the movement of the plate itself to drive water flow and drainage, rather than relying on external pumps or complex mechanical systems. The tilting action of the bottom plate creates the necessary water flow paths and drainage channels, allowing the structure to serve its own drainage function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If air jets and bubble generators are added for pet drying and cleaning, then pet hygiene is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepet hygieneVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The air jet system serves multiple functions: it dries the pet's fur, cleans the tub surface, and provides massaging effects. The bubble generator simultaneously creates therapeutic bubbles for the pet and aids in water circulation. By designing components that perform multiple tasks, the patent improves pet hygiene without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes pneumatic systems (air jets, air compressor, bubble generator) to achieve drying and cleaning functions. These pneumatic components replace what would otherwise require separate mechanical drying devices and cleaning mechanisms, consolidating multiple functions into a unified pneumatic system that is relatively simple to implement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Reliability

If UV LED sterilizer is integrated into the tub, then sterilization effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesterilization effectivenessVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional sterilization methods (such as chemical sterilants or high-temperature systems) with UV LED technology. UV LEDs are solid-state devices that are more energy-efficient, have longer lifespans, and require less infrastructure than conventional sterilization systems, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining or improving sterilization effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes UV LEDs which operate at specific wavelength parameters that are highly effective for sterilization. By selecting the appropriate UV wavelength parameters and integrating them directly into the tub structure, the system achieves effective sterilization using low-power, low-cost LED components rather than expensive high-power sterilization equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Productivity

If a filter assembly is added for water drainage, then water drainage effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater drainage effectivenessVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter assembly is integrated with the bottom plate structure and drainage system, combining filtration functionality with the existing drainage components. Rather than adding a separate, standalone filtration system, the filter is merged into the bottom plate assembly, allowing water drainage and filtration to occur through a unified structure that minimizes overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 tub efficiently bathes, dries, and sterilizes pets, effectively removing bacteria and debris, while allowing for convenient operation and maintenance, ensuring both pet hygiene and user convenience.

Implementation Method 1

a sterilizer to sterilize the pet and the tub when bathing the pet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUV LED emission: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

a sterilizer using UV LEDs, which emits ultraviolet light to kill bacteria and microorganisms

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltraviolet sterilization: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 3

an air compressor, and a motorized bottom plate for efficient water drainage and tub cleaning

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir compression: Gas Compressor

Implementation Method 4

which includes a bubble generator, air compressor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBubble generation: Bubble

Data Source

PatentUS11559171B2Bath with elliptical air flow and/or moveable bottom
Publication Date: 2023.01.24 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • US11559171B2 patent drawing
  • US11559171B2 patent drawing
  • US11559171B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A pet bath may include a tub, a cover connected to an upper rim of the tub, a jet provided in the tub to discharge bubbles, an air outlet provided in the tub to discharge air, and a sterilizer to sterilize the tub. The tub may have a bottom plate that is raised and lowered relative to a bottom frame having a drain and a filter assembly so that liquid in the tub flows between edges of the bottom plate and an inner surface of the tub toward the bottom frame to be drained and filtered.