Low Profile Circular Pool Drain with Water Stop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pool sumps, particularly elongated channel sumps, are prone to cracking over time where they meet the plaster, leading to water seepage and damage to the surrounding pool structure, necessitating a solution to prevent water migration and maintain structural integrity.
Innovation Solution
A low-profile circular drain with an annular chamber and diverter plates that are designed to be flush with the pool surface, featuring a water stop mechanism to collect and redirect water seeping between the sump and plaster, ensuring the structural integrity of the pool floor and preventing damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If elongated channel sumps are used to comply with VGB Act, then anti-entrapment safety is improved, but aesthetic appearance deteriorates and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drain is divided into multiple outlet ports (at least two) positioned at different locations within the sump chamber, allowing the sump to be segmented functionally while maintaining a unified aesthetic cover. This segmentation enables compliance with VGB Act requirements for multiple drainage paths while preserving visual appeal through a single integrated cover design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs nested structures where the sump chamber is embedded within the pool floor, the outlet ports are nested within the chamber walls, and the cover is positioned over the top opening. This nested arrangement allows multiple functional elements to be contained within a compact, aesthetically pleasing form factor.
2Shape
If small round drain covers with aggregate material are used, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but durability deteriorates due to susceptibility to damage from kicks
Solution Approach 1:
The sump construction utilizes composite material strategies by combining the sump chamber (made from durable materials like plastic, fiberglass, or concrete) with a separate cover component. This composite approach allows the main body to provide structural strength and durability while the cover provides aesthetic appearance, with each component optimized for its specific function.
3Ease of manufacture
If sumps are embedded in plaster, then installation is simplified, but water seepage occurs over time due to cracking at the sump-plaster interface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the waterproofing function from the plaster embedding and implements it as a separate, dedicated waterproofing layer or membrane applied to the sump chamber exterior. This separation allows the plaster to serve its structural and aesthetic purposes while the specialized waterproofing layer handles water containment, preventing seepage at the interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies waterproofing measures beforehand during the installation process, creating a protective barrier between the sump chamber and the plaster before the plaster is applied or cured. This preemptive waterproofing prevents water from penetrating into the plaster and causing cracking or damage over time.
4Reliability
If multiple outlet ports are provided in the sump, then anti-entrapment compliance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sump chamber is designed as a universal structure that can accommodate multiple outlet ports at different positions and orientations. The chamber geometry and reinforcement structure are standardized to handle multiple ports without requiring custom designs, thereby maintaining structural integrity while enabling compliance with multi-port anti-entrapment requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A sump drain for installation in a surface of a swimming pool or spa, the sump drain comprising an annular chamber having a contiguous annular top opening formed by an inner side wall, an outer side wall and a bottom surface, at least one outlet port along the bottom surface of the chamber, and at least one diverter plate configured to be placed the outlet port. A diverter plate for installation in a sump drain above an outlet port.