Pull-Out Bathtub Compartment for Variable Volume and Easy Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bathtubs are often too large for small bathrooms, making them impractical, while shower boxes are uncomfortable for users, especially those with mobility issues who struggle to stand for extended periods.
Innovation Solution
A bathtub with a vertically mounted, pull-out compartment that can slide or oscillate to project a seat outside the bathtub, allowing users to comfortably sit and adjust the internal volume by retracting the compartment when not in use, thereby accommodating users with mobility issues and optimizing space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional bathtub is installed, then users can comfortably sit and bathe, but the bathtub occupies too much space in small bathrooms
Solution Approach 1:
The bathtub incorporates a movable partition wall that can slide between extended and retracted positions. When extended, the partition creates a larger bathing compartment for comfortable sitting. When retracted, the compartment volume decreases, reducing the overall space occupation in the bathroom. This dynamic adjustment allows the bathtub to adapt its size based on usage needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The bathtub is divided into two compartments by a movable partition wall. This segmentation allows independent control of each compartment's volume. The partition can be positioned to create a large single compartment for comfortable bathing or retracted to minimize the overall water-holding volume, thus resolving the contradiction between comfort and space occupation.
2Area of stationary object
If a shower box is installed to save space, then the bathroom space is optimized, but users with mobility issues cannot stand for extended periods
Solution Approach 1:
The movable partition wall enables dynamic adjustment of the bathtub compartment volume. When needed, the partition extends to create sufficient volume for users to sit comfortably during bathing, making it accessible for users with mobility issues. When not in use, the partition retracts to minimize space occupation, maintaining the space-efficient design.
Solution Approach 2:
The bathtub is designed to serve multiple functions: it can operate as a compact shower box when the partition is retracted, and as a comfortable sitting bathtub when the partition is extended. This multi-functionality allows the same device to accommodate both space constraints and the needs of users with mobility issues.
3Ease of operation
If the bathtub compartment volume is increased to accommodate users, then comfort is improved, but the space occupation and water capacity increase when not needed
Solution Approach 1:
The movable partition wall allows the bathtub compartment volume to be dynamically adjusted. When a user needs to bathe comfortably, the partition is extended to increase the compartment volume. When the bathtub is not in use, the partition is retracted to minimize the water capacity and overall volume, thus resolving the contradiction between user comfort and water capacity.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Bathtub characterized in that it is provided with a watertight pull-out box body in correspondence of an opening obtained on one of its edges, said box body being adapted to be alternately brought from a position wherein it is entirely contained inside the bathtub to a position wherein it is disposed in projecting position, thus increasing the internal volume of the bathtub.