Portable Sink Segmentation for Bedridden Hygiene

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Solution Overview

Problem

Bedridden individuals face challenges in maintaining personal hygiene due to the need for constant assistance, limited water volume in existing systems leading to bacterial contamination, and the inconvenience of frequent water changes.

Innovation Solution

A portable sink with a frame, adjustable vertical post, detachable reservoir, flexible hose, and folding support for a collection bowl and basin, allowing for autonomous and hygienic hygiene care with non-toxic materials and self-locking wheels for easy mobility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If a portable sink with a large reservoir is provided, then bedridden persons can take care of their hygiene autonomously for longer periods, but the bulk and weight of the device increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautonomous hygiene care durationVSAvoiddevice weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The sink system is divided into separate functional modules: a large water reservoir, a washing basin, and a collection bowl for wastewater. This segmentation allows the water storage capacity to be increased without proportionally increasing the weight of the entire device, as only the water weight increases while the structural components remain modular and manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The design utilizes vertical space by positioning the large reservoir above the washing basin and collection bowl in a stacked configuration. This vertical arrangement allows for greater water storage capacity without significantly increasing the horizontal footprint or overall bulk of the device, making it easier to move and position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Duration of action of moving object

If a portable sink with a large reservoir is provided, then bedridden persons can take care of their hygiene autonomously for longer periods, but the device becomes bulkier and harder to transport

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautonomous hygiene care durationVSAvoiddevice volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The sink system is divided into separate functional modules: a large water reservoir, a washing basin, and a collection bowl for wastewater. This segmentation allows the water storage capacity to be increased without proportionally increasing the volume of the entire device, as only the water volume increases while the structural components remain modular and compact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The design utilizes vertical space by positioning the large reservoir above the washing basin and collection bowl in a stacked configuration. This vertical arrangement allows for greater water storage capacity without significantly increasing the horizontal footprint or overall bulk of the device, making it easier to move and position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Loss of time

If the bowl volume is increased to reduce water changes, then the risk of bacterial contamination increases when reusing water

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetime for water changesVSAvoidbacterial contamination risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates clean water storage (reservoir) from wastewater collection (collection bowl), with a dedicated washing basin in between. This segmentation ensures that even with a large overall water volume, the wastewater is immediately separated and contained, preventing bacterial contamination of the clean water supply and eliminating the need to reuse dirty water.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The wastewater is extracted and isolated into a separate collection bowl that can be easily removed and emptied. This extraction prevents contact between wastewater and clean water, eliminating the bacterial contamination risk associated with reusing water in the bowl while maintaining a large water volume for extended hygiene care.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If frequent water changes are implemented to maintain hygiene, then bacterial contamination is reduced, but the bedridden person needs constant assistance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebacterial contaminationVSAvoidautonomy in hygiene care
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates clean water storage (reservoir) from wastewater collection (collection bowl), with a dedicated washing basin in between. This segmentation ensures that even with a large overall water volume, the wastewater is immediately separated and contained, preventing bacterial contamination of the clean water supply and eliminating the need to reuse dirty water.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The wastewater is extracted and isolated into a separate collection bowl that can be easily removed and emptied. This extraction prevents contact between wastewater and clean water, eliminating the bacterial contamination risk associated with reusing water in the bowl while maintaining a large water volume for extended hygiene care.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

5Ease of operation

If the sink structure is made compact for easy transport, then mobility is improved, but the water storage capacity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemobility and transportabilityVSAvoidwater storage capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The design utilizes vertical space by positioning the large reservoir above the washing basin and collection bowl in a stacked configuration. This vertical arrangement allows for greater water storage capacity without significantly increasing the horizontal footprint or overall bulk of the device, making it easier to move and position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The sink incorporates wheels for mobility and a folding support structure that can be adjusted or collapsed when not in use. This dynamic design allows the device to be easily transported when needed while maintaining adequate water storage capacity during use, balancing mobility requirements with storage needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3962320B1Portable sink
Publication Date: 2024.04.24 BERTON MELANIE
  • EP3962320B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3962320B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3962320B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A portable sink (1), comprising a frame (2), provided with at least one pair of wheels (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) and comprising a vertical post (9), which is adjustable in height. A reservoir (16) is detachably associable with the post (9) and is provided with a substantially box-like central body (16a) from which a conical base (16b) protrudes downward, and with the lower end of which a flexible hose (19) is associated. A plate (23) is associated stably, below the reservoir (16), to with the vertical post (9) and a folding support (24) is associated to with the plate (23) for the temporary insertion of a bowl (30) for collecting the drain of an overlying basin (34). The plate (23) has a second temporary engagement means (28) for the collection bowl (30) and the basin (34).