Collapsible Pool Frame with Pivoting Struts for Compact Storage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing collapsible pool structures are complicated and lack ease-of-use in transforming between storage and use configurations.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible pool design featuring a top frame transformable between use and storage positions, a flexible pool wall, and pivotable side struts that allow for easy conversion between expanded and collapsed shapes, with components remaining connected during transformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pool structure uses a complex frame structure with multiple spacing members and resilient frames, then the pool can maintain structural integrity, but the structure becomes complicated and difficult to transform between stored and erected conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The pool structure is divided into modular components: a flexible pool wall, a transformable top frame, and detachable side struts. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the top frame can be collapsed without affecting the pool wall integrity, and side struts can be quickly detached to reduce complexity during transformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The top frame is designed with dynamic transformation capability, allowing it to change between an expanded configuration (providing structural support) and a collapsed configuration (reducing volume for storage). This dynamic element resolves the contradiction by making the structural integrity temporary and controllable rather than permanent and fixed.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the pool structure includes multiple spacing members and resilient frames to support the flexible pool wall, then the pool maintains its shape, but the transformation process between stored and erected conditions becomes time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The side struts are designed as detachable components that can be quickly removed from the top frame. This extraction of necessary support elements allows the top frame to be rapidly collapsed without requiring the entire structure to be disassembled, significantly reducing transformation time while maintaining shape stability during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The top frame is pre-designed with hinge connections and pivot points that enable automatic or semi-automatic transformation. This preliminary configuration of mechanical advantages allows the structure to transform with minimal user intervention, reducing the time required to transition between stored and erected states.
3Volume of moving object
If the top frame is made transformable between use and storage positions, then the pool becomes portable and storage-efficient, but the mechanism for transformation becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The top frame is designed to collapse into a compact nested configuration where sections of the frame fit within each other. This nesting approach maximizes volume reduction for storage while using simple hinge connections rather than complex mechanical systems, resolving the contradiction between portability and mechanism complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The combination of a flexible pool wall with a slender, transformable top frame creates a overall flexible structure that can be easily collapsed. The flexibility of the pool wall accommodates the frame's movement during transformation, reducing the need for rigid, complex transformation mechanisms.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Facilitates easy and efficient conversion between use and storage positions without the need to separate components, ensuring all parts are accounted for during storage and providing a compact, portable pool structure.
Implementation Method 1
a second end that is pivotable between a support position for supporting the top frame in the top frame use position above the support surface and a stowage position in which the first end is disconnected from the top frame
Data Source
AI summary
A collapsible pool is provided herein. The collapsible pool is provided as a pool with at least a top frame that supports a pool wall of the pool. The top frame is transformable between a top frame use position and a top frame storage position, where the top frame use and storage positions define distinct maximum cross-dimensions. The top frame of the pool is formed to be transformable between the top frame use and storage positions, and is supported in the top frame use position by a plurality of side struts. One end of each of the plurality of side struts being releasably securable to the top frame such that each of the plurality of side struts can pivot relative to the pool wall and top frame, where the pivoting of the side struts permits the collapsible pool to be moved between expanded and collapsed shapes.