Rotatable bath seat with linear actuator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals with diminished mobility face challenges in safely entering and exiting bathtubs due to slippery surfaces and the difficulty in moving conventional rotatable bath seats between tub and out-tub positions, posing a risk of slips and falls.
Innovation Solution
A rotatable bath seat equipped with a linear actuator that allows safe movement in and out of the bathtub, featuring a slip-resistant medical-grade surface, adjustable height, and tool-free installation, eliminating the need for friction strips and enabling easy cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional rotatable bath seat is used, then the seat can be positioned inside or outside the tub, but the seat is difficult to move between positions for individuals with diminished mobility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operation with an automated linear actuator system. The linear actuator uses electrical power to automatically move the bath seat between inside and outside positions, eliminating the need for manual effort to operate the mechanical rotation mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The linear actuator enables the bath seat to move itself automatically without requiring external manual intervention. The system self-positions the seat based on operational requirements, providing self-service functionality that assists individuals with diminished mobility.
2Reliability
If friction strips or non-slip mats are added to tub surfaces, then slip resistance is improved, but moisture is trapped creating a breeding ground for bacteria
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the need for friction strips and non-slip mats by providing a dedicated transfer seat with integrated slip-resistant features. This extracts the harmful element (moisture-trapping materials) from the tub environment while maintaining slip resistance through the seat's own surface design.
Solution Approach 2:
The bath seat features a slip-resistant surface specifically at the contact areas where users place their feet or sit, without requiring additional materials throughout the tub. This localized quality provides slip resistance exactly where needed without creating bacterial traps in the surrounding tub environment.
3Ease of operation
If a rotatable bath seat is used, then the seat can be positioned inside the tub, but the seat is heavy and difficult to install
Solution Approach 1:
The bath seat system is divided into separate components including the seat platform, the linear actuator mechanism, and mounting structures. This segmentation allows for lighter individual parts that can be more easily handled and installed, while the complete assembly provides the required functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces heavy mechanical manual positioning systems with a linear actuator that uses electrical power to move the seat. This substitution reduces the structural weight requirements while maintaining the ability to position the seat inside or outside the tub as needed.
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 solution provides a safe, slip-resistant, and easily installable rotatable bath seat that can be adjusted for different tub sizes, reducing the risk of falls and facilitating easy cleaning by eliminating bacterial traps, thus enhancing safety and hygiene for individuals with mobility issues.
Implementation Method 1
A linear actuator is positioned inside the tub and is used to move the seat between a first position where the seat is inside the tub and a second position where the seat is outside the tub
Implementation Method 2
a slip resistant medical grade surface by use of a medical grade slip resistant padding that does not absorb water
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a movable bath seat device employing a linear actuator to assist an individual with decreased mobility in and out of a bathtub. The linear actuator employs a direct current motor with limit switches to move the seat between positions. The device permits an individual to take a position on the seat outside the bathtub and, by use of the actuator, move their torso to a position inside the bath tub side walls. The seat can then rotate, allowing an individual to lift their legs into the bathtub at their convenience. In a preferred embodiment, the cushion on the rotating seat assembly is constructed of a slip resistant padding comprised of medical grade, closed cell molded polyurethane padding that does not absorb water.