Anti-blocking Accessory for Roll-up Pool Covers

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Roll-up swimming pool covers often experience jams and entrapments when passing through the straight edges of the longitudinal slot, leading to breaks and the need for replacement or complete cover overhaul.

Innovation Solution

An anti-blocking accessory designed to be linked to the transversal strap of the flexible cover, featuring a beveled tip and engagement elements with the final slat, which covers the end of the strap and ensures correct positioning, preventing snags and blockages during unfolding and folding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the cover passes through the straight edges of the longitudinal slot during folding and unfolding, then the cover can be properly stored and deployed, but jams and entrapments occur causing breaks and damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecover operation reliabilityVSAvoidjams and entrapments during slot passage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The accessory introduces a curved or rounded profile at the end of the transversal strap where it contacts the slot edges. This curvature allows the strap to smoothly guide the cover through the longitudinal slot during folding and unfolding operations, preventing jams and entrapments that occur with straight edges.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The accessory acts as an intermediary element between the transversal strap and the longitudinal slot. It mediates the interaction by providing a specialized contact profile that reduces friction and prevents entrapment, thereby protecting the strap and cover from damage during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Duration of action of stationary object

If the accessory is designed to cover the end of the transversal strap, then wear on the strap is reduced and lifespan is extended, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestrap lifespanVSAvoidaccessory structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The accessory is designed as a separate, modular component that can be independently attached to and removed from the transversal strap. This segmentation allows the protective function to be added without permanently complicating the overall cover system structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The accessory is designed as a replaceable component that protects the more expensive and durable transversal strap. By making the accessory disposable or easily replaceable, the system extends the lifespan of critical components while maintaining simplicity through modular replacement rather than complex integrated design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentEP4382698B1Anti-blocking accessory for roll-up swimming pool covers

Publication Date: 2025.02.19 FLUIDRA IND FRANCE

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

Anti-blocking accessory for roll-up swimming pool covers, linkable to the transversal strap (1) of a flexible cover made up of a plurality of joined slats (2). It is made up of a flat and elongated casing (4) that covers the end of the transversal strap (1) closest to the last slat (2) of the cover, wherein the casing (4) comprises: - a rear sector (5), adjustable towards the last slat (2) of the cover: - a front sector (6) in the form of a beveled tip, opposite the rear sector (5); - an internal housing (7) intended to house the end of the transversal strap (1); and - hooks (8) located in the rear sector (5) for engagement with the last slat (2) of the cover. In a preferred embodiment, the casing (4) comprises a first portion (9) and a second portion (10), complementary and interconnectable with each other.