Adjustable Pool Filter Arms for Universal Skimmer Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Filtration devices for pool skimmers face challenges due to the high number of different inlet filter models, making it difficult to replace filters on older models, leading to long lead times and high replacement costs, as each skimmer model has a unique inlet duct geometry, especially in diameter and height.
Innovation Solution
A filter design with adjustable arms that can be inclined to fit different inlet duct diameters, featuring a flexible membrane and adjustment means like a wire to change the filter's diameter, allowing it to adapt to various skimmer models by adjusting its diameter to match the inlet duct's dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dedicated inlet filter model is designed for each skimmer model, then the filter fits the specific inlet duct geometry properly, but the number of filter models increases and replacement becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The filter incorporates adjustable arms that can be moved between different positions to adapt to various inlet duct diameters. The arms are movable along the filter body and can be secured at different angles, allowing the filter to dynamically adjust its configuration to match the specific geometry of different skimmer models, thus providing both proper fit and broad compatibility
Solution Approach 2:
The filter design allows changing the geometric parameters of the filter by adjusting the arm positions. By modifying the angle and position of the arms, the effective diameter and shape of the filter opening can be changed to match different inlet duct specifications, enabling a single filter model to serve multiple skimmer models with varying geometries
2Reliability
If multiple filter models are maintained for different skimmer models, then each filter can be optimized for its specific application, but inventory complexity and replacement costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is designed as a universal model that can function with multiple different skimmer models. The adjustable arms enable the same filter to adapt to various inlet duct geometries, eliminating the need to maintain multiple specialized filter models in inventory while still providing optimized performance for each specific application
3Manufacturing precision
If specialized filters are used for each skimmer model, then the filter matches the inlet duct dimensions precisely, but lead time for replacement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable arms can be quickly repositioned by hand without requiring special tools or complex mechanisms. This manual adjustability allows field technicians to rapidly adapt the filter to different skimmer models during replacement, significantly reducing the time required compared to installing a specialized pre-configured filter model
Data Source
AI summary
A filter, for insertion into an inlet duct of a water filtration system, has an annular upper end delimiting an opening around a longitudinal axis and defining a filter diameter. A side wall extends, around the longitudinal axis, between the annular upper end and a bottom wall that extends opposite the opening. The side and/or bottom walls have orifices to allow water to flow therethrough while retaining solid elements. The sidewall wall comprises a plurality of arms that each extend between a lower edge, connected to the bottom wall, and an upper edge forming part of the annular upper end. Each arm extends along an adjustable inclination so that the filter diameter is variable according to the inclination of each arm. When the filter is inserted into the inlet duct, the inclination of the arms is adjusted so that the filter diameter is adapted to the inlet diameter.