Utility Bucket Lid with Pump Mount for On-Demand Water Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals engaged in construction, utility work, or recreational activities often lack access to clean running water, leading to wastage when pouring water from containers for hygiene purposes, as existing solutions do not provide on-demand water with minimal waste.
Innovation Solution
A utility bucket lid adapted to a standard bucket, equipped with rigid support members to hold a pump, suction hose, and discharge hose, along with a fluid manifold and outlet valve, allowing for on-demand water supply with minimal waste, and featuring a hose or shower wand and towel holder for complete hygiene.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If water is poured from a container for hygiene purposes, then water is available for use, but a significant portion of water is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a pump to automatically draw water from the bucket and deliver it through hoses to the user, eliminating the need for manual pouring. The pump self-regulates water delivery, allowing users to obtain water for hygiene purposes without wasting any through uncontrolled pouring.
2Loss of substance
If a pump and hose system is added to provide on-demand water, then water waste is minimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bucket lid is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides structural support for the pump and hose assembly, acts as a mounting surface for various hygiene accessories (shower wand, towel holder, soap dispenser), and maintains the bucket's water storage capability. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate devices and simplifies the overall system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is divided into modular components that can be independently attached to or removed from the bucket lid: the pump assembly, suction hose, discharge hose, shower wand, towel holder, and soap dispenser. This segmentation allows for easy assembly, disassembly, and maintenance while reducing the perceived complexity through standardized connections.
3Strength
If rigid support members and piping are added to the bucket lid, then structural strength increases, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Rigid support members are strategically positioned only at critical locations on the bucket lid where structural reinforcement is needed to bear the pump and hose assembly. The rest of the lid maintains its original simple design, minimizing additional manufacturing complexity and cost while providing sufficient strength where required.
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
Enables efficient, on-demand access to water with minimal waste in environments without public utilities, maintaining simplicity and cost-effectiveness in design and production.
Implementation Method 1
The device is primarily comprised of a common bucket lid and rigid support members that add sufficient strength to the bucket lid to enable the lid to support a pump, suction hose and discharge hose
Data Source
AI summary
A utility bucket lid uses a common bucket lid and one or more rigid support members to strengthen the bucket lid in order to secure a pump and rigid pipe to deliver on-demand water or other fluid via a fluid manifold and valve that is connected to the rigid pipe. The rigid support member(s) support a pump having a suction hose and discharge hose and the rigid support member(s) also support a rigid pipe. The rigid pipe is passed through the bucket lid and also through the rigid support member(s). The pump's suction hose is passed into a hole proximate the top end of the rigid pipe (above the top side of the bucket lid) and exists the rigid pipe through a second hole proximate the bottom end of the rigid pipe (below the bottom side of the bucket lid). The rigid pipe holds the position of the open end of the suction hose proximate the bottom of the bucket. The top end of the rigid pipe has an open end to accept a fluid manifold, the fluid manifold having a first end and a second end, an inlet fitting, and outlet fitting, and a valve. A pump is secured to the top side of the bucket lid being fastened to the device via securement holes in the rigid support member(s). The suction hose is appropriately attached to the suction port of the pump and a discharge hose is appropriately attached to the discharge port of the pump. A hose, shower wand, and even a towel holder can also be attached to the utility bucket lid for complete hygiene in primitive settings.