Wire Rope Insulation Cover Lifting for Large Bathtubs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Large heat insulation covers for bathtubs and swimming pools are difficult for one person to open due to increased weight, as they become bigger with social development.

Innovation Solution

A bathtub heat insulation cover system pulled up and down by a wire rope, featuring a lifting crossbar mechanism with guide grooves, a middle crossbar with a driving motor and pulleys, and a chain or belt transmission mechanism for synchronized movement, allowing for easy operation with a control switch or remote control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the heat insulation cover becomes larger to cover bigger bathtubs and swimming pools, then the heat insulation area is improved, but the weight increases making it difficult for one person to open

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat insulation cover areaVSAvoidease of opening
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional manual mechanical lifting system with an automated wire rope hoisting mechanism. The hoisting mechanism uses a wire rope wrapped around a drum, driven by a motor, to automatically lift the heavy heat insulation cover. This substitution of mechanical manual operation with an automated motor-driven system resolves the contradiction by enabling easy operation (single-person control) while maintaining large cover area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Area of stationary object

If the heat insulation cover becomes larger, then the heat insulation area is improved, but the weight increases requiring more lifting force

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat insulation cover areaVSAvoidlifting force required
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual lifting force with a motor-driven wire rope hoisting mechanism. The motor provides the necessary lifting force through the drum and wire rope system, eliminating the need for human physical effort. This allows the system to handle large, heavy covers without increasing the operational force requirement on the user's part.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The wire rope acts as an intermediary between the motor and the heat insulation cover. The wire rope transmits the lifting force from the motor-driven drum to the cover, enabling force transmission over a distance and through a mechanical advantage system. This intermediary mechanism allows the motor to provide sufficient lifting force for large covers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If a wire rope hoisting mechanism is introduced to enable easy opening, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of openingVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a motor-driven wire rope hoisting mechanism to replace manual lifting, improving ease of operation. While this does increase device complexity, the complexity is concentrated in a dedicated hoisting subsystem rather than the entire system, allowing the rest of the cover structure to remain relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 system provides a novel, automated, and convenient solution for opening and closing large heat insulation covers, ensuring smooth operation and preventing shaking during use.

Implementation Method 1

a wire rope pulling mechanism is provided below the bathtub, comprising a lifting driving motor, a wire rope wound on a drum which can rotate under the driving of the lifting driving motor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTension: Tension

Implementation Method 2

guide grooves which extend vertically are respectively formed on the left front vertical post and the left rear vertical post, and a front end and a rear end of the left lifting crossbar are respectively inserted in the left guide grooves at the corresponding side in an embedding manner

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical guidance: Groove

Data Source

PatentEP3235975B1Bathtub heat insulation cover pulled up and down by wire rope
Publication Date: 2018.11.21 FOSHAN SHUIJINGDAO LEISURE EQUIP
  • EP3235975B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3235975B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention discloses a bathtub heat insulation cover pulled up and down by a wire rope. A heat insulation cover body (1) is provided with a left lifting crossbar (21) and a right lifting crossbar (22), wherein the left lifting crossbar is fitted with a left lifter (31), and the right lifting crossbar is fitted with a right lifter (32); left guide grooves (313) are respectively formed on a front end and a rear end of the left side of the left lifter, and a front end and a rear end of the left lifting crossbar are respectively inserted in the left guide grooves at the corresponding side in a embedding manner; right guide grooves (323) are respectively formed on a front end and a rear end of the right side of the right lifter, and a front end and a rear end of the right lifting crossbar are respectively inserted in the right guide grooves at the corresponding side in a embedding manner; a middle crossbar (4) between the left lifter and the right lifter is provided with a lifting driving motor (5), and a left drive pulley (61) and a right drive pulley (62) which are driven by the lifting driving motor and move in reverse directions synchronously are arranged beside the middle crossbar; a left driving wire rope (71) which is connected with the left lifting crossbar is coiled on the left drive pulley, and a right driving wire rope (72) which is connected with the right lifting crossbar is coiled on the right drive pulley.