Circular Pool Sump Drain with Water Stop Channels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Pool sumps, particularly elongated channel sumps, are prone to cracking where they meet the plaster, allowing water to seep into the surrounding supporting walls and cause damage, and existing solutions are aesthetically unpleasing and susceptible to damage from swimmers.

Innovation Solution

A low-profile circular sump drain with an annular chamber and radial conduits connecting to a central hub, embedded in the plaster floor with a circular grid cover to blend in with the pool surface, and water stop channels to prevent water infiltration through the plaster, ensuring structural integrity and safety compliance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If elongated channel sumps are used to comply with VGB Act, then safety against entrapment is improved, but aesthetic appearance deteriorates and susceptibility to damage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety against entrapmentVSAvoidaesthetic appearance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies curvature by using a circular drain cover instead of a rectangular channel sump. The circular shape with radius of at least 18 inches provides the required safety compliance while maintaining aesthetic appearance that blends with the pool surface, eliminating the unsightly appearance of elongated channel sumps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of drain size and shape from small (12 inch) or rectangular to large circular (at least 18 inch radius). This parameter change ensures compliance with VGB Act requirements while improving aesthetic appearance and reducing susceptibility to damage by making the drain more robust and visually appealing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Shape

If small round drain covers with aggregate material are used, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but susceptibility to damage from kicks increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaesthetic appearanceVSAvoidresistance to damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite materials by combining a rigid structural base (polymer or metal) with aggregate material embedded in the surface. This composite construction maintains aesthetic appearance while significantly improving strength and resistance to damage from kicks, eliminating the fragility of small round covers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the size parameter from small (12 inch) to large (at least 18 inch radius), which not only improves aesthetics but also increases structural strength and resistance to damage. The larger size distributes impact forces over a greater area, reducing susceptibility to damage from kicks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If sumps are embedded in plaster, then integration with pool structure is improved, but water infiltration through cracks worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegration with pool structureVSAvoidwater infiltration

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary waterproofing membrane or coating between the sump and the plaster. This intermediary layer prevents water infiltration through cracks while maintaining the integration of the sump with the pool structure, addressing the harmful effect of water seepage without compromising structural stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary protective measures by embedding the sump in a way that prevents crack formation or by applying protective coatings before plastering. This preliminary anti-action prevents water infiltration issues before they occur, maintaining both structural integration and preventing harmful water seepage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

4Reliability

If multiple intake ports are provided in channel sumps, then compliance with VGB Act is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompliance with VGB ActVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the circular drain into multiple radial intake ports distributed around the circumference. This segmentation provides multiple intake paths that comply with VGB Act requirements while maintaining a simple circular structure, avoiding the complexity of elongated channel sumps with multiple ports.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11555321B1Low profile circular drain with water stop for swimming pool

Publication Date: 2023.01.17 AQUASTAR POOL PRODUCTS INC

AI summary

A sump drain includes a ring-shaped chamber having an inner sidewall with a diameter of at least about 18 inches and an outer sidewall, and a circular opening between the sidewalls preferably about an inch wide and optionally having a grid cover. Preferably the inner sidewall has a number of ports extending inwardly to radial conduits to a central hub for tying into a pool or spa filtering system, with the central hub operating as a clean out and having a removable cap. Upon installation, plaster substantially fills the space between the chamber and the central hub, such that the sump drain attractively blends in with the pool or spa floor. When installed, the top opening is preferably substantially flush with the pool or spa floor while being safely unblockable. And the sump drain preferably further includes channels both outboard and inboard from the chamber top opening and around the central hub, to help prevent water from passing through the plaster into the shotcrete of the pool or spa.