Timed Bath Plug Assembly for Automatic Child-Safe Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current safety equipment fails to effectively prevent child drownings in domestic baths, as existing devices cannot automate the drainage of bath tubs and do not limit the time children spend in water.
Innovation Solution
A device with a timer mechanism and plug assembly that automatically opens to drain the bath tub after a pre-selected time, using a spring-driven or electronic timer to ensure water is drained after a set duration, preventing prolonged exposure to water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a timer mechanism with plug assembly is used to automatically drain the bath, then child safety is improved by limiting bath time, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into distinct functional components: a timer mechanism for time control, a plug assembly for water retention, and a release mechanism for drainage. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function reliably while maintaining overall system manageability and safety effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The timer mechanism is pre-set with a predetermined time duration before the bath begins. This preliminary action ensures that the drainage function is automatically triggered after the specified time, eliminating the need for continuous parental supervision and providing reliable safety without requiring complex monitoring systems.
2Ease of operation
If automated drainage is implemented, then parental supervision burden is reduced, but ease of operation decreases due to complex setup
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables self-service operation where the timer mechanism automatically controls the drainage process without requiring parental intervention during the bath. Parents simply need to set the desired time duration, and the system autonomously manages the drainage, significantly reducing the supervision burden while maintaining simple operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows parents to adjust the time parameter according to their needs, providing flexibility in operation. By changing only the time parameter rather than the entire system configuration, the device maintains ease of use while adapting to different bathing scenarios and child requirements.
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 device effectively limits the time children spend in the bath, reducing the risk of drowning by ensuring the bath tub drains automatically, even if a child is left unsupervised, providing a safe and automated solution for parents.
Implementation Method 1
a spring loaded hinge of the lid and plug assembly urges the lid and plug assembly into a rotated open position when the catch or lip is disengaged from the lid
Data Source
AI summary
A device for controlling the duration of time water is retained in a bath tub or other liquid retaining receptacle; the device comprising a timer element and a plug assembly operable between a closed state and an opened state; the plug assembly changing from the closed state to the opened state at the expiry of a time duration pre-selected on the timer element.