Shower Partition Flexible Shaft Coupling for Angled Bathtubs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shower partition devices are limited in their adaptability to non-right-angled bathtubs or shower trays, and suffer from inefficient torque transmission, often resulting in snagging and jamming.
Innovation Solution
A shower partition device featuring plug connectors for direct or indirect non-rotatable coupling of roll-up bodies to a flexible shaft, with rotatable mounting and adjustable housing parts to accommodate various angles, and a rotary drive system for smooth operation, allowing for flexible installation and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional rigid connection arrangements are used for shower partitions, then the structure is stable and easy to manufacture, but the device cannot adapt to non-right-angled bathtubs or shower trays and causes snagging and jamming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by introducing a flexible shaft instead of rigid connections. The flexible shaft can bend and adapt to different angles between shower curtain blades, allowing the partition to work with non-right-angled bathtubs while maintaining smooth operation without snagging or jamming.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the structural parameter from rigid fixed-angle connections to flexible variable-angle connections. The flexible shaft enables the connection angle to vary dynamically, accommodating different bathtub geometries and preventing the snagging issues that occur with rigid angular connections.
2Adaptability or versatility
If complex transmission devices are used to achieve flexible angles, then adaptability to various shapes is improved, but the device complexity and torque loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical transmission devices (gears, linkages) with a flexible shaft that transmits torque through flexing. This substitution dramatically simplifies the transmission mechanism while maintaining the ability to accommodate various angles between shower curtain blades.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a flexible shaft (a flexible mechanical element) to transmit rotational motion between roll-up bodies at different angles. This flexible element eliminates the need for complex rigid mechanical joints while providing smooth torque transmission and angular adaptability.
3Ease of manufacture
If fixed angle connections are used, then the manufacturing is simple, but the device cannot be adjusted to different configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible shaft provides dynamic angular adjustment capability without requiring complex adjustable mechanisms. The shaft naturally conforms to the angle between connected components, enabling easy installation in various configurations while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The shower positioning device has two rotary mounted retractor bodies (1,2), on which a shower curtain is rolled. A transmission device (3) is provided for transferring a rotating motion of a retractor body to another retractor body. The transmission device has a flexible shaft (4).