Pivoting Seat Bathing Construction for Elderly and Disabled Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bathing procedures pose challenges for elderly and disabled individuals due to inaccessible shower and bathtub designs, leading to safety hazards and the need for assistance, which can result in injuries for both the bather and the assisting staff.
Innovation Solution
A bathing construction featuring a pivotably coupled seat within a bathing enclosure, actuated by a system that moves the seat between retracted and extended positions, allowing for safe and convenient access, transportation, and egress, thereby reducing the need for external assistance and minimizing the risk of accidents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional shower and bathtub designs are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but accessibility for elderly and disabled persons is poor and safety hazards increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by implementing a movable seat that can be positioned at different locations within the bathing enclosure. The seat is connected to a drive mechanism that enables it to move along a track or rail system, allowing dynamic adjustment of the seat position to accommodate users with varying mobility needs. This dynamic configuration improves accessibility while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through modular components.
2Ease of operation
If assistance staff help elderly or disabled persons enter or exit the shower or bathtub, then bathing accessibility is improved, but the risk of injury to both the bather and the assisting staff increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements the self-service principle by providing an automated movable seat system that enables elderly and disabled persons to transfer independently into and out of the bathing enclosure without requiring physical assistance from staff. The seat moves automatically along a track system, and users can control their own positioning, thereby eliminating the need for manual lifting and reducing injury risks for both users and assistants.
3Ease of operation
If a movable seat system is implemented to improve bathing accessibility, then ease of operation increases, but the device complexity and structural requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the bathing construction into distinct modular components: a movable seat unit, a track or rail system, a drive mechanism with motor, and a control system. Each component can be independently manufactured, installed, and maintained. This modular segmentation reduces overall system complexity by allowing standardized parts and simplified assembly procedures while still providing advanced functionality.
Data Source
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AI summary
A bathing construction (100), comprising a bathing enclosure (110) and a seat (120) for supporting a person. The seat is pivotably coupled to a pivot (130) of the bathing construction for pivoting the seat about a horizontal axis, such that the seat, upon rotation of the pivot, is movable between a retracted position of the seat within the bathing enclosure and an extended position of the seat outside the bathing enclosure. The bathing construction further comprises an actuation system (140) coupled to the pivot, wherein the actuation system is configured to rotate the pivot for a movement of the seat between the retracted position of the seat and the extended position of the seat.