Dome-Shaped Sump Grate Cover Preventing Body Part Suction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing swimming pool sump covers pose a risk of injury due to strong suction forces that can trap humans, as they often have flat surfaces that allow body parts to be sucked in, and existing solutions like sensors may not prevent injuries in time.
Innovation Solution
A dome-shaped sump cover divided into upper and lower sections with specific geometric patterns and concave curves, minimizing contact areas and ensuring lateral water flow to prevent suction of human body parts, combined with fastening elements for secure installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a flat surface grate cover is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but human body parts can be suctioned onto the cover causing injury
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by replacing the flat grate cover surface with a dome-shaped configuration. This curved surface eliminates flat areas where body parts could be suctioned onto the cover, while still maintaining structural integrity and drainage functionality. The dome shape redirects suction forces away from contact points.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a dome-shaped grate cover is used, then the risk of suction injury is reduced, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dome-shaped grate cover is divided into multiple sections (first section and second section) with different geometric patterns. This segmentation allows each section to be manufactured separately using standardized processes, then assembled together, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining the safety benefits of the dome configuration.
3Productivity
If interstices are made large to allow water flow, then drainage efficiency improves, but the risk of body parts being suctioned through increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs different geometric patterns (squares in the first section, triangles in the second section) with varying interstice sizes in different regions of the grate cover. This local differentiation allows optimization of water flow in certain areas while maintaining safety in others, balancing drainage efficiency with injury prevention.
4Extent of automation
If a sensor system is installed to detect suction increases, then automatic shutdown is possible, but the response time is too slow to prevent injury
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of reacting to suction increases after they occur, the dome-shaped grate cover design proactively prevents body parts from being suctioned onto the cover in the first place. The curved geometry inherently redirects suction forces before they can cause injury, eliminating the need for slow-responding sensor systems.
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
The design effectively prevents human body parts from being suctioned onto the cover, reducing the risk of injury by minimizing contact areas and ensuring lateral water flow, thus enhancing safety in pool environments.
Implementation Method 1
The considerable suction in the bottom of the sump creates quite a forceful suction on the top of the grate that covers the sump
Data Source
AI summary
A grate cover being installed in a recess in the top of a sump. The grate is formed of an upper and a lower section. The upper section exhibits four squares or four triangles therein, The upper section has a dome-shaped configuration and has four square or triangular shapes therein, depending on the geometric division therein, each shape has openings therein. The lower section has four trapezoid shapes therein. Each of the shapes of the upper section, whether square or triangular, has a concave surface curvature therein at a transition between the upper and the lower section. Each of the trapezoids of the lower section has two concave surfaces curvatures therein. One curvature extends in a first direction from the upper section toward an outside edge of grate cover. The other second concave curvature extends in a direction which is normal to the first direction.