Wall-Entry Bathtub Sealing Control for Faster, Cleaner Draining

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Wall-entry bathtubs face challenges such as prolonged drain times, difficulty in moving and sealing the entry wall, excessive noise, water spillage, and complex integration of electronic controls, particularly for users with physical limitations.

Innovation Solution

A wall-entry bathtub design featuring a movable entry wall with sensors and a controller to manage position, a seal member for inflation, and a latch mechanism to improve ease of use and reduce noise, along with modular assembly for installation in existing bathrooms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the entry wall is made movable to improve ease of entry and exit, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to need for sensors, controllers, and sealing mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of entry and exitVSAvoidcomplexity of movable wall system

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bathtub system is divided into distinct functional modules: a movable entry wall assembly, a stationary basin, a separate sealing system with inflatable bladder, and an independent control system. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies installation and maintenance while providing the desired ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An inflatable sealing bladder acts as an intermediary between the movable entry wall and the stationary basin. This intermediary component provides the sealing function without requiring complex mechanical seals or gaskets, simplifying the overall system while enabling easy wall movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If electronic controls and sensors are integrated into the moveable entry wall to monitor position and manage operations, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of wall movement and sealingVSAvoiddifficulty of integrating electronics

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is merged with the existing bathtub plumbing and electrical systems rather than being integrated into the moveable wall itself. The controller receives inputs from simple position sensors and controls the inflatable sealing system through existing electrical infrastructure, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates automatic position detection through sensors that trigger the sealing mechanism without requiring manual intervention. The controller automatically inflates or deflates the sealing bladder based on detected wall position, providing self-service operation that simplifies user interaction while reducing control system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If the drain time is shortened to accommodate bathers who remain seated, then productivity is improved, but water spillage risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrain timeVSAvoidwater spillage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The inflatable sealing bladder is inflated in advance before the draining process begins, creating a barrier that contains water within the basin. This preliminary sealing action allows the drain to operate at full speed without risking water spillage, as the seal prevents water from escaping the controlled drainage path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing system provides a cushioning barrier against water spillage by being activated before the rapid drainage occurs. This beforehand protection allows the system to handle high-speed draining without the harmful effect of water spilling outside the bathtub.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

4Adaptability or versatility

If additional devices and features are added to provide more functionalities, then adaptability is improved, but excessive noise is generated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctionalities of bathtubVSAvoidnoise during operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing function is achieved through pneumatic inflation of a bladder rather than mechanical pumps or motors. This pneumatic approach provides the required adaptability and functionality while generating minimal noise compared to traditional mechanical sealing or pumping systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Data Source

PatentUS9585524B2Wall-entry bathtub

Publication Date: 2017.03.07 KOHLER CO(US)

AI summary

A wall-entry bathtub includes a basin, a shell defining an entryway to allow access into the basin, and an entry wall movable between a lowered position and a raised position, wherein the entry wall is substantially clear of the entryway in the lowered position and at least partially blocks the entryway in the raised position. The bathtub also includes first and second entry wall position sensors configured to sense the position of the entry wall and a controller in electronic communication with the first and second entry wall position sensors, wherein the controller is configured to control components of the bathtub based at least in part on the position of the entry wall.