Filter Door Living Hinge Sealing Submersible Vehicle

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing filter doors for swimming pool cleaners allow debris to escape back into the pool due to gaps and corrosion of spring-biased mechanisms, leading to reduced cleaning efficiency and increased maintenance costs.

Innovation Solution

A filter door with a living hinge and mesh that biases the door to a closed position, preventing debris from escaping while allowing water to drain, eliminating the need for additional drains and reducing maintenance issues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a spring-biased hinge is used to pivot the filter door, then the door can move between open and closed positions, but the spring may corrode or lose resiliency when submerged in water, causing the door to malfunction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor movementVSAvoidspring durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the spring-biased mechanical hinge with a magnetic coupling system. Magnets embedded in the filter door and corresponding magnets in the filter housing create magnetic attraction that holds the door closed, eliminating the need for a spring mechanism that corrodes in water. The magnetic field penetrates through the gap between door and housing, providing reliable operation without mechanical contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a magnetic field as an intermediary between the filter door and filter housing. This magnetic field acts as a non-contact coupling mechanism that transmits the closing force through the gap without requiring physical contact or mechanical components that could corrode or fail in the aquatic environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the filter door is pivotally coupled to allow rotation, then the door can open and close, but gaps are created that allow debris to escape back into the pool

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedoor rotationVSAvoiddebris escape

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the pivotal mechanical coupling with a magnetic coupling system. The magnetic attraction force acts across the gap between the filter door and housing to keep the door sealed against the intake port, preventing debris escape while still allowing the door to be opened when needed. The magnetic field provides continuous sealing pressure without requiring mechanical contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The filter door incorporates a flexible seal or gasket along its edge that can deform to maintain contact with the filter housing surface. This flexible element compensates for any gaps or misalignments, ensuring that debris cannot escape through the interface between the door and housing while allowing the door to move for opening and closing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Productivity

If additional drainage outlets are added to the filter, then water can drain more efficiently, but the complexity and cost of the filter increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrainage efficiencyVSAvoidfilter structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter door serves multiple functions: it acts as a seal to prevent debris escape, provides a mounting surface for the magnetic coupling mechanism, and incorporates drainage capabilities through its design. By integrating these functions into a single component rather than adding separate outlets, the system achieves efficient drainage without increasing overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the door structure with drainage functionality. The gap between the filter door and housing, which previously allowed debris escape, is now utilized as a controlled drainage path. The magnetic coupling system maintains sealing while permitting water flow, merging the sealing and drainage functions into a single integrated design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 enhanced filter door extends the lifespan of the filter and pool cleaner, improves cleaning efficiency, and reduces maintenance and operational costs by effectively sealing debris within the filter and allowing efficient drainage.

Implementation Method 1

a living hinge that biases the door to a closed position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a mesh that allows water, but not debris, to exit therethrough

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical filtration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS10844621B2Enhanced filter door

Publication Date: 2020.11.24 ZODIAC POOL SYSTEMS LLC

AI summary

A filter door for an autonomous, submersible vehicle is disclosed. The filter door includes a living hinge that biases the panel to a closed position. The living hinge may be provided by mesh that extends beyond the periphery of a panel to create a living hinge. The mesh may also prevent dirt and debris from entering or escaping around a pivot edge of the panel. This increases the life span of the filter door and the cleaning efficiency of the autonomous, submersible vehicle.