Foldable Pool Support Structure for Compact Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foldable pet pools have a supporting plate that protrudes during storage, increasing volume and transportation costs.
Innovation Solution
A foldable pool design featuring a flexible pool body with supporting structures comprising limiting and inclined pull straps and detachable hard panels, allowing the pool to be compactly stored by retracting the panels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a supporting plate is arranged inside the fabric and cannot be disassembled to improve stability, then the stability of the pool is improved, but the supporting plate protrudes out of the pool body during storage which increases the volume for storage and product packaging and increases the transportation cost
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting structure is divided into multiple segments: the fabric layer, the supporting plate, and the limiting strip. The limiting strip is further segmented into a body portion and a protruding portion. This segmentation allows the supporting plate to be positioned within the fabric layers during use, while the protruding portion of the limiting strip extends outward to prevent displacement during storage, thus resolving the contradiction between stability and storage volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting plate is nested between the first and second fabric layers, with the limiting strip's body portion embedded within the fabric layers. During use, the supporting plate is contained within the pool body structure. During storage, only the protruding portion of the limiting strip extends outward, minimizing the protrusion volume while maintaining the nested configuration that ensures stability during use.
2Strength
If the supporting plate is made non-disassemblable to ensure structural integrity, then the structural integrity is improved, but the volume for storage and transportation increases due to protrusion
Solution Approach 1:
The limiting strip is segmented into a body portion (first limiting portion) embedded in the fabric layers and a protruding portion (second limiting portion) extending outward. This segmentation allows the main structural components to remain integrated for strength, while the protruding portion provides minimal external volume for storage without compromising the overall structural integrity of the pool.
3Ease of operation
If the pool body is made foldable to reduce storage space, then the storage convenience is improved, but the supporting plate protrudes out which increases the volume
Solution Approach 1:
The limiting strip is divided into an embedded body portion and a minimal protruding portion. This segmentation allows the pool body to be folded compactly while the protruding portion maintains a small, manageable volume that does not significantly increase the overall storage space requirements, thus preserving storage convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The pool body is constructed with flexible fabric layers that can be folded and collapsed. The limiting strip, with its protruding portion, works in conjunction with these flexible layers to maintain structural definition during folding while minimizing the volume increase caused by the necessary protrusion for preventing over-folding.
Data Source
AI summary
A foldable pool includes a foldable pool body and a pool bottom made of a flexible material. A plurality of supporting structures are arranged on an outer side wall of the pool body. Each supporting structure includes a limiting pull strap, an inclined pull strap, and a first hard panel. One end of the limiting pull strap is connected to one end of the inclined pull strap. The limiting pull strap and the inclined pull strap are both made of flexible materials. The other end of the limiting pull strap is connected to the pool bottom or a position of the pool body close to the pool bottom. The other end of the inclined pull strap is located above the limiting pull strap and connected to the pool body. The first hard panel is detachably arranged on the inclined pull strap.