Air return system integrated in swimming pool overflow groove
By installing a PTC heating film and air-water dust filter windows on the inner wall of the overflow chamber, the corrosion problem of condensate in the overflow tank was solved, achieving protection and life extension of the return air system and improving air quality.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- POWER CHINA KUNMING ENG CORP LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-05-14
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-17
AI Technical Summary
Condensation easily forms on the sidewalls of swimming pool overflow channels due to high ambient humidity, leading to corrosion of internal system components, shortening equipment lifespan, and increasing maintenance costs.
A PTC heating film is installed on the inner wall of the overflow cavity groove to prevent air from condensing into water droplets. Combined with air-water dust filter windows and galvanized steel plates, air and water are separated and filtered to protect the return air system.
It effectively prevents condensation, protects return air system components, extends equipment life, improves equipment corrosion resistance, improves air quality, and reduces maintenance frequency and costs.
Smart Images
Figure CN224134311U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of swimming pool technology, and in particular to a return air system integrated into the overflow channel of a swimming pool. Background Technology
[0002] During the daily operation of the swimming pool, condensation easily forms on the side walls of the overflow trough due to factors such as high ambient humidity. When this condensation drips, it is easily drawn into the return air system. Over time, this causes severe corrosion to the internal components of the system, with an annual corrosion rate exceeding 0.5 mm / year, significantly shortening the equipment's lifespan and increasing the frequency and cost of maintenance and equipment replacement. Utility Model Content
[0003] This utility model aims to provide a return air system integrated into the overflow trough of a swimming pool, in order to solve the technical problem that condensation is easily generated on the side wall of the overflow trough due to factors such as high ambient humidity in the prior art.
[0004] The technical problem solved by this utility model embodiment is addressed by the following technical solution:
[0005] A return air system integrated into a swimming pool overflow ditch is provided, comprising:
[0006] An overflow chamber is provided with a detachable grille at the top and a drain port at the bottom. The grille is used to guide overflowing water into the overflow chamber.
[0007] The return air chamber is connected to the overflow chamber and is used to collect air from the overflow wall and enter the return air chamber.
[0008] The equipment cavity is connected to the return air cavity. The equipment cavity is hollowed out to form an installation space for installing fans, filters and fire dampers.
[0009] The overflow cavity has a PTC heating film installed on the inner wall of the groove to maintain the temperature of the inner wall of the overflow cavity and prevent air from condensing into water droplets.
[0010] In some embodiments, a check valve is provided on the drain port.
[0011] In some embodiments, a return air inlet is provided between the overflow chamber and the return air chamber, and the return air inlet is provided with an air-water dust filter window.
[0012] In some embodiments, the air-water dust filter window includes a front filter frame, a rear filter frame, and a filter cotton layer. The front filter frame and the rear filter frame are fixedly connected as a frame structure of an integral window by bolts. The filter cotton layer is embedded inside the rear filter frame.
[0013] In some embodiments, a plurality of louvers are installed on the front filter frame, the louvers are inclined downwards outwards relative to the front filter frame, and a U-shaped drainage groove is formed on the front filter frame, the U-shaped drainage groove surrounding the outer periphery of the louvers on the left, right and bottom sides; the left and right sides of the front filter frame are provided with downwardly inclined window frame side drainage holes, the window frame side drainage holes pass through the front filter frame and are connected to the U-shaped drainage groove, and a window bottom drainage outlet connected to the U-shaped drainage groove is formed on the lower side of the front filter frame.
[0014] In some embodiments, a fixed receiving net is provided on the filter frame, the fixed receiving net being used to receive the filter cotton layer.
[0015] In some embodiments, the rear filter frame has fixing openings on both sides, and the front filter frame has fixing buckles on both sides. The fixing buckles are detachably connected to the fixing openings for installing the front filter frame and the rear filter frame.
[0016] In some embodiments, the fixing buckle includes a guide portion and an abutment portion, the guide portion and the abutment portion being connected to each other, the guide portion being disposed toward the rear filter frame and inclined toward the outside of the abutment portion, the guide portion being used to guide the rear filter frame to move toward the abutment portion, and the abutment portion being used to abut against the fixing opening of the rear filter frame.
[0017] In some embodiments, the porosity of the grid is greater than or equal to 60%.
[0018] In some embodiments, a galvanized steel plate with a 70-degree fire damper is provided between the equipment cavity and the return air cavity. The 70-degree fire damper is used to control the galvanized steel plate to close the connection between the equipment cavity and the return air cavity.
[0019] Compared with existing technologies, in the return air system integrated into the overflow channel of the swimming pool provided in this embodiment, the PTC heating film is placed on the inner wall of the overflow channel, which can directly heat the inner wall of the overflow channel and effectively prevent air from condensing into water droplets on the inner wall of the channel. Swimming pool environments have high humidity; if the temperature of the inner wall of the channel is low, water vapor in the air easily condenses on its surface. This condensate may damage the channel structure, breed bacteria, and may also be drawn into the return air system, corroding equipment. When the PTC heating film is energized, its internal positive temperature coefficient thermistor increases its resistance as the temperature rises, thereby automatically adjusting the heating power. When the temperature of the inner wall of the channel is lower than the set value (maintained above the dew point by 2°C), the heating film increases its power to raise the temperature of the inner wall of the channel; when the temperature reaches the set value, the heating film reduces its power to maintain a stable temperature, achieving precise temperature control and preventing condensation. Attached Figure Description
[0020] One or more embodiments are illustrated by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings. These illustrations do not constitute a limitation on the embodiments. Elements having the same reference numerals in the drawings are denoted as similar elements. Unless otherwise stated, the drawings in the drawings are not to be limited by scale.
[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the return air system integrated into the overflow trough of the swimming pool provided by this utility model;
[0022] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the air-water dust filter window provided by this utility model;
[0023] Figure 3 This is another structural schematic diagram of the air-water dust filter window provided by this utility model;
[0024] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Enlarged view of point A in the middle;
[0025] Figure 5 This is an exploded view of the air-water dust filter window provided by this utility model.
[0026] Marked in the image:
[0027] 100. Return air system integrated into the pool overflow trough; 10. Overflow chamber; 11. Grille; 20. Return air chamber; 21. Air-water dust filter window; 211. Front filter frame; 2111. Louver; 2112. Fixing buckle; 2113. Guide part; 2114. Abutment part; 212. Rear filter frame; 2121. Fixing and receiving net; 2122. Fixing port; 213. Filter cotton layer; 30. Equipment cavity; 31. Galvanized steel plate; 32. Fire damper. Detailed Implementation
[0028] To facilitate understanding of this utility model, a more detailed description is provided below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be noted that when an element is described as "connected" to another element, it can be directly on the other element, or one or more intermediate elements may exist between them. The terms "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "upper end," "lower end," "top," and "bottom," etc., used in this specification, indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.
[0029] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in this specification have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. The terminology used in this specification is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
[0030] The following is combined Figures 1 to 5 The return air system 100 integrated into the pool overflow ditch provided in this application will be described in detail through specific embodiments.
[0031] Please refer to the following: Figures 1 to 5 , Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the return air system integrated into the overflow trough of the swimming pool provided by this utility model; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the air-water dust filter window provided by this utility model; Figure 3 This is another structural schematic diagram of the air-water dust filter window provided by this utility model; Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Enlarged view of point A in the middle; Figure 5 This is an exploded view of the air-water dust filter window provided by this utility model. One embodiment of this utility model provides a return air system 100 integrated into a swimming pool overflow trough, including an overflow chamber 10, a return air chamber 20, and an equipment chamber 30. A detachable grille 11 is provided at the top of the overflow chamber 10, and a drain interface is provided at the bottom of the overflow chamber 10. The grille 11 is used to guide overflowing water into the overflow chamber 10. The return air chamber 20 is interconnected with the overflow chamber 10 and is used to collect air from the overflow wall into the return air chamber 20. The equipment chamber 30 is connected to the return air chamber 20, and the interior of the equipment chamber 30 is hollowed out to form an installation space for installing a fan, filter, and fire damper. A PTC heating film is provided on the inner wall of the overflow chamber 10 trough to maintain the temperature of the inner wall of the overflow chamber 10 trough and prevent air from condensing into water droplets.
[0032] The detachable design facilitates cleaning of the grille 11. Pool environments often contain debris such as hair and leaves; the grille 11 intercepts these impurities, preventing them from entering the overflow chamber 10 and subsequent return air system, thus preventing pipe blockage and equipment damage. Its placement at the top aligns with the flow direction of pool overflow water, allowing the overflowing water to naturally flow into the overflow chamber 10. When the pool water level rises to a certain height, the water overflows the pool edge and flows into the overflow chamber 10 through the gaps in the grille 11. The grille 11 acts like a sieve, guiding the water flow while blocking larger impurities floating on the surface.
[0033] The drainage interface can promptly drain the water collected in the overflow chamber 10, preventing excessive water accumulation. If the accumulated water cannot be drained in time, it may backflow into the pool, affecting water quality, or cause soaking damage to the overflow chamber 10 and surrounding structures.
[0034] The return air chamber 20 is connected to the overflow chamber 10, allowing air from the overflow chamber 10 to naturally flow into the return air chamber 20. Due to the high evaporation rate of the pool surface, the air in the overflow chamber 10 has high humidity and may contain harmful gases such as chloramines. Introducing this air into the return air chamber 20 facilitates subsequent unified treatment and helps improve indoor air quality in the pool. Specifically, due to the negative pressure generated during the operation of the return air system, air from the overflow chamber 10 is drawn into the return air chamber 20. Under the influence of the pressure difference, the air enters the return air chamber 20 from the overflow chamber 10 through the connecting part, thus achieving the air collection process.
[0035] Equipment chamber 30 is connected to return air chamber 20 to ensure that air collected in return air chamber 20 can smoothly enter equipment chamber 30 for further processing. The fan, filter, and fire damper installed in equipment chamber 30 play a crucial role in air treatment. The fan provides power to circulate air within the system, the filter purifies the air, and the fire damper ensures the system's fire safety. After the fan starts, a negative pressure is created in equipment chamber 30, prompting air from return air chamber 20 to flow into equipment chamber 30. The air first passes through the filter, where the filter material intercepts dust, microorganisms, and other impurities. The purified air is then transported by the fan through ducts to subsequent processing stages or returned to the room. In the event of a fire, the fire damper detects high temperatures and automatically closes, blocking airflow and preventing the fire from spreading through the return air system.
[0036] The PTC heating film is installed on the inner wall of the overflow chamber 10 groove, directly heating the inner wall and effectively preventing air condensation. In high-humidity swimming pool environments, if the groove inner wall temperature is low, water vapor in the air easily condenses on its surface. This condensation can damage the groove structure, breed bacteria, and may even be drawn into the return air system, corroding equipment. When the PTC heating film is energized, its internal positive temperature coefficient thermistor increases its resistance as the temperature rises, automatically adjusting the heating power. When the groove inner wall temperature is below the set value (maintained at 2°C above the dew point), the heating film increases its power to raise the groove inner wall temperature; when the temperature reaches the set value, the heating film reduces its power to maintain a stable temperature, achieving precise temperature control and preventing condensation.
[0037] In some embodiments, a check valve is provided on the drain interface. The check valve prevents water in the drain pipe from flowing back into the overflow chamber 10. The pool's drainage system may experience backflow due to various reasons (such as blockage downstream of the drain pipe, water pressure changes caused by the operation of other equipment, etc.). Without a check valve, the backflowing water will re-enter the overflow chamber 10, potentially causing pool water pollution and affecting the normal operation of the overflow chamber 10 and the return air system.
[0038] In some embodiments, a return air inlet is provided between the overflow chamber 10 and the return air chamber 20, and an air-water dust filter window 21 is provided on the return air inlet.
[0039] Because the overflow chamber 10 contains a certain amount of water vapor and small water droplets that may be generated due to various reasons, the air-water filter window 21 can effectively separate the air and water entering the return air chamber 20. It allows air to pass smoothly into the return air chamber 20 while intercepting water droplets, preventing them from entering the return air system. This avoids moisture and corrosion to the equipment in the return air system due to water droplets, extending the equipment's service life. The environment around the pool may also contain dust and other impurities, which can enter the overflow chamber 10 with the airflow. The air-water filter window 21 can filter out dust particles in the air, making the air entering the return air chamber 20 cleaner. This helps protect the filters, fans, and other equipment in the return air system, reducing dust wear and tear, while also improving indoor air quality and providing a healthier environment for pool users.
[0040] In some embodiments, the air-water dust filter window 21 includes a front filter frame 211, a rear filter frame 212, and a filter cotton layer 213. The front filter frame 211 and the rear filter frame 212 are fixedly connected as a frame structure of the entire window by bolts. The filter cotton layer 213 is embedded in the rear side of the rear filter frame 212. The front filter frame 211 is filled with and equipped with a number of louvers 2111. The louvers 2111 are inclined downwards outwards relative to the front filter frame 211. A U-shaped drainage groove is opened on the front filter frame 211. The U-shaped drainage groove surrounds the outer periphery and lower side of the louvers 2111. The left and right sides of the front filter frame 211 are provided with downwardly inclined window frame side drainage holes. The window frame side drainage holes pass through the front filter frame 211 and are connected to the U-shaped drainage groove. A window bottom drainage outlet connected to the U-shaped drainage groove is opened on the lower side of the front filter frame 211.
[0041] The interior of the filter front frame 211 is filled with and equipped with several louvers 2111. The louvers 2111 are inclined downwards outwards relative to the filter front frame 211, mainly in a double J-shape structure. A U-shaped drainage groove is opened on the filter front frame 211, surrounding the outer periphery and lower side of the louvers 2111. Downward-sloping window frame side drainage holes are provided on the left and right sides of the filter front frame 211, which pass through the filter front frame 211 and connect to the U-shaped drainage groove. A window bottom drainage outlet connected to the U-shaped drainage groove is opened on the lower side of the filter front frame 211. When water droplets enter the return air cavity 20, the louvers 2111 fixedly installed inside the filter front frame 211 can block most of the sand and raindrops, performing primary filtration of sand and raindrops in the air. A small amount of water droplets in the air may pass over the straight front section of the louver 2111 and follow the airflow, adhering to the louver 2111 as it moves forward. The curved rear section of the louver 2111 effectively blocks the direction of the small raindrops and causes them to move towards the window frame side drainage holes under the force of the wind. These window frame side drainage holes are located at the junction of the curved section of each rainproof louver 2111 and the two side frames. The small water droplets are discharged through these holes into the U-shaped drainage channel of the window frame. The raindrops discharged from the window frame side drainage holes can flow along the U-shaped drainage channel inside the frame towards the bottom drain outlet 103, achieving air-water separation. When small dust particles in the air pass over the louver 2111 and enter the interior of the filter front frame 211, they can be intercepted and blocked by the filter cotton layer 213, reducing the dust intrusion rate.
[0042] In some embodiments, a fixed receiving net 2121 is provided on the rear filter frame 212 to receive the filter cotton layer 213. The filter cotton layer 213 can be embedded inside the rear side of the rear filter frame 212. By installing the front filter frame 211 and the rear filter frame 212 together, the filter cotton layer 213 frame 108 can be fixedly installed inside the rear side of the window rear frame 106. When the filter cotton 109 adsorbs too many fine dust particles and affects the air intake, maintenance personnel can disassemble the front filter frame 211 and the rear filter frame 212 to facilitate the separation of the filter cotton layer 213 from the rear filter frame 212, making it easy for personnel to remove and replace the worn filter cotton layer 213, achieving an easy cleaning effect.
[0043] In some embodiments, the rear filter frame 212 has fixing openings 2122 on both sides, and the front filter frame 211 has fixing buckles 2112 on both sides. The fixing buckles 2112 are detachably connected to the fixing openings 2122 for mounting the front filter frame 211 and the rear filter frame 212. The fixing buckle 2112 includes a guide portion 2113 and an abutment portion 2114, which are connected to each other. The guide portion 2113 is disposed towards the rear filter frame 212 and inclined outward towards the abutment portion 2114. The guide portion 2113 is used to guide the rear filter frame 212 to move towards the abutment portion 2114, and the abutment portion 2114 is used to abut against the fixing openings 2122 of the rear filter frame 212.
[0044] When the front filter frame 211 and the rear filter frame 212 are assembled, the fixing buckle 2112 and the fixing opening 2122 engage with each other, thereby fixing the front filter frame 211 and the rear filter frame 212 together, and thus fixing the filter cotton layer 213. If it is necessary to remove the discarded filter cotton layer 213, it can be separated by the fixing buckle 2112 and the fixing opening 2122, thereby separating the front filter frame 211 and the rear filter frame 212 to remove the discarded filter cotton layer 213.
[0045] Specifically, the fixing buckle 2112 includes a guide portion 2113 and an abutment portion 2114. When the filter rear frame 212 is installed and fixed with the filter front frame 211, the fixing port 2122 on the filter rear frame 212 can move along the guide portion 2113 to the abutment portion 2114, and then the fixing port 2122 and the abutment portion 2114 abut against each other, so that the fixing buckle 2112 and the fixing port 2122 abut against each other.
[0046] In some embodiments, the porosity of the grille 11 is greater than or equal to 60%. When pool water overflows, the higher porosity allows water to quickly pass through the grille 11 into the overflow chamber 10, preventing water accumulation at the pool edge, keeping the surrounding area dry, reducing the risk of slipping, and improving safety. Furthermore, the higher porosity allows for better airflow between the overflow chamber 10 and the outside environment, facilitating the return air system's collection of air from the overflow chamber 10, providing a sufficient air source for the return air system, ensuring its normal operation, and maintaining good air circulation in the pool area.
[0047] In some embodiments, a galvanized steel plate 31 with a 70-degree fire damper 32 is provided between the equipment cavity 30 and the return air cavity 20. The 70-degree fire damper 32 is used to control the galvanized steel plate 31 to close the connection between the equipment cavity 30 and the return air cavity 20. The environment in which the equipment cavity 30 is located may be relatively humid. The galvanized steel plate 31 has good corrosion resistance and can resist the erosion of water vapor, chemicals in swimming pool water, etc., extending the service life of the equipment cavity 30, ensuring its structural stability, and reducing maintenance and replacement costs caused by corrosion. In the event of a fire, the 70-degree fire damper 32 can automatically close when the temperature reaches 70 degrees Celsius, controlling the galvanized steel plate 31 to close the connection between the equipment cavity 30 and the return air cavity 20, thereby isolating the equipment cavity 30 from other areas, preventing the fire from spreading to other parts through the equipment cavity 30, and effectively preventing the spread of the fire.
[0048] It should be noted that the return air system 100 integrated into the pool overflow ditch provided in this embodiment of the present invention only shows the part related to the technical problem to be solved by this embodiment of the present invention. It can be understood that the return air system 100 integrated into the pool overflow ditch provided in this embodiment of the present invention also includes other structures for realizing the function of the return air system 100 integrated into the pool overflow ditch, which will not be described in detail here.
[0049] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this utility model, and not to limit it; under the concept of this utility model, the technical features of the above embodiments or different embodiments can also be combined, the steps can be implemented in any order, and there are many other variations of different aspects of this utility model as described above. For the sake of brevity, they are not provided in detail; although the present utility model has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model.
Claims
1. An air return system integrated with a pool gutter, comprising: include: An overflow chamber is provided with a detachable grille at the top and a drain port at the bottom. The grille is used to guide overflowing water into the overflow chamber. The return air chamber is connected to the overflow chamber and is used to collect air from the overflow chamber and enter the return air chamber. The equipment cavity is connected to the return air cavity. The equipment cavity is hollowed out to form an installation space for installing fans, filters and fire dampers. The overflow cavity has a PTC heating film installed on the inner wall of the groove to maintain the temperature of the inner wall of the overflow cavity and prevent air from condensing into water droplets.
2. The return air system integrated with a swimming pool gutter overflow according to claim 1, wherein, A check valve is installed on the drainage interface.
3. The return air system integrated with a swimming pool gutter overflow according to claim 2, wherein, A return air inlet is provided between the overflow chamber and the return air chamber, and an air-water dust filter window is provided on the return air inlet.
4. The return air system integrated with a swimming pool gutter of claim 3, wherein, The air-water dust filter window includes a front filter frame, a rear filter frame, and a filter cotton layer. The front filter frame and the rear filter frame are fixedly connected as a frame structure of the whole window by bolts; the filter cotton layer is embedded inside the rear filter frame.
5. The return air system integrated with a swimming pool gutter of claim 4, wherein, The filter front frame is equipped with several louvers, which are inclined downwards outwards relative to the filter front frame. A U-shaped drainage groove is opened on the filter front frame, which surrounds the outer periphery and lower side of the louvers. The filter front frame has downwardly inclined window frame side drainage holes on the left and right sides, which pass through the filter front frame and connect to the U-shaped drainage groove. A window bottom drainage outlet connected to the U-shaped drainage groove is opened on the lower side of the filter front frame.
6. The return air system integrated with a swimming pool gutter overflow according to claim 5, wherein, A fixed receiving net is provided on the filter frame, which is used to receive the filter cotton layer.
7. The return air system integrated with a swimming pool gutter overflow according to claim 5, wherein, The rear filter frame has fixing openings on both sides, and the front filter frame has fixing buckles on both sides. The fixing buckles are detachably connected to the fixing openings for installing the front filter frame and the rear filter frame.
8. The return air system integrated with a swimming pool gutter overflow according to claim 7, wherein, The fixing buckle includes a guide part and an abutment part, which are connected to each other. The guide part is disposed towards the filter rear frame and inclined outward towards the abutment part. The guide part is used to guide the filter rear frame to move towards the abutment part, and the abutment part is used to abut against the fixing opening of the filter rear frame.
9. The return air system integrated with a swimming pool gutter of claim 1, wherein, The porosity of the grid is greater than or equal to 60%.
10. The return air system integrated with a swimming pool gutter of claim 1, wherein, A galvanized steel plate with a 70-degree fire damper is provided between the equipment cavity and the return air cavity. The 70-degree fire damper is used to control the galvanized steel plate to close the connection between the equipment cavity and the return air cavity.