Protective mobile hand wash station

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing public hand washing stations lack individual protection measures to prevent the spread of germs in public settings, particularly during pandemics like COVID-19.

Innovation Solution

A mobile hand wash station design featuring non-coplanar sides, structural frames, multiple wash areas separated by divider walls of at least 18 inches in height and width, equipped with automatic no-touch sinks, hand cleanser, and drying implements, and a grey water tank for water management, allowing easy mobility and enhanced germ protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If public hand washing stations are installed, then hand washing availability is improved, but individual protection from germ transmission is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehand washing availabilityVSAvoidgerm transmission

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The hand washing station is divided into multiple separate wash areas (first, second, third, and fourth wash areas) positioned on different sides of the station. Each wash area is further segmented by divider walls that create individual protected zones, isolating users from each other to prevent germ transmission while maintaining hand washing availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Divider walls are introduced as intermediary structures between wash areas. These walls act as physical barriers that mediate the interaction between users, blocking the transmission of germs through air or contact while still allowing the station to serve multiple users simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If divider walls are added to separate wash areas, then individual protection is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegerm transmission protectionVSAvoidstation structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The divider walls serve multiple functions simultaneously: they separate wash areas to prevent germ transmission, provide structural support for the station, and create defined user zones. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity despite the added protection features.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If multiple wash areas are provided on non-coplanar sides, then user capacity is improved, but space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser capacityVSAvoidstation footprint

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of expanding all wash areas in a single plane, the station utilizes non-coplanar sides, positioning wash areas on different vertical and horizontal planes. This three-dimensional arrangement allows multiple wash areas to be accommodated within a smaller overall footprint by exploiting vertical space and angular configurations rather than requiring proportional horizontal expansion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS11497356B2Protective mobile hand wash station

Publication Date: 2022.11.15 PERSONAL PROTECTED LLC

AI summary

A hand wash station may include at least three wash areas including sinks so users can wash their hands. Each wash area may be supported to a non-coplanar side of the hand wash station. At least one divider wall may separate the wash areas from each other to protect the users from the spread of germs. The hand wash station may be mobile in that it is designed to be easily movable from one location to another.