Rotating bath lift
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bath lifts for disabled and elderly individuals are difficult to use due to slippery and rigid surfaces, posing a risk of slips and falls, and skin tears when trying to position themselves for bathing.
Innovation Solution
A rotating seat assembly with a waterproof, slip-resistant surface made of medical-grade, closed-cell polyurethane padding that minimizes static friction and is designed to prevent skin tears, integrated with a DC-powered linear actuator for easy height adjustment and backrest tilting, ensuring safe entry and exit from bathtubs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid seat surface is used for structural support, then the seat can bear user weight, but the surface becomes slippery and causes skin tears when users position themselves
Solution Approach 1:
The seat combines a rigid structural core with a soft compliant outer layer. The structural core (made of materials like molded plastic or metal) provides the necessary load-bearing capacity, while the soft outer layer (such as foam padding or rubberized material) provides slip resistance and prevents skin tears. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by integrating both hard and soft properties in a single seat component.
Solution Approach 2:
The seat surface is covered with a flexible soft layer that conforms to user contact areas. This flexible shell provides friction and grip to prevent slipping while distributing pressure to avoid skin tears, while the underlying rigid structure maintains structural integrity and load-bearing capacity.
2Ease of manufacture
If a smooth surface is used for easy cleaning, then the seat is easy to maintain, but the surface becomes slippery and unsafe for users
Solution Approach 1:
The seat employs different surface qualities in different areas or layers. The outer contact surface has a textured or high-friction finish for slip resistance, while underlying surfaces or alternative areas maintain smooth characteristics for easy cleaning. This local differentiation allows the seat to simultaneously achieve safety and ease of maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The seat uses composite materials where one layer provides slip resistance (such as a textured rubber or foam layer) and another layer or the base material provides ease of cleaning. The composite structure allows both properties to coexist without compromising either safety or maintainability.
3Ease of operation
If a rotating seat mechanism is added to improve user positioning, then accessibility is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating seat mechanism is replaced with an electric motor-driven rotation system. The motor provides controlled rotation through a simple transmission mechanism (such as a gear or direct drive), eliminating the need for complex manual mechanical systems while enabling easy user positioning through electrical control.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating seat is equipped with controls that allow users to independently adjust the seat position and orientation. This self-service capability enhances accessibility without requiring additional manual adjustment mechanisms, as users can directly control the rotation to achieve optimal positioning.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a bath lift with a rotating seat assembly to assist an individual with decreased mobility in and out of a bathtub. The rotating seat includes an assembly that can be raised or lowered using a DC powered linear actuator. The linear actuator will also move a backrest from an upright position to a reclined position. A controller includes logic to prevent operation should the batteries have insufficient power to raise the seat assembly. Slip resistant padding is comprised of medical-grade, closed cell, molded polyurethane padding that does not absorb water and reduces the risk of skin tears.